This Extremely Rare Perfume or Scent Bottle measures approximately 5 1/2 inches or 141 mm in length to the top ring on the chain and is 1 1/4 inches or 32 mm across the widest part of the body, it is superbly made from solid silver that has been gilded on the inside in the form of a cannon and is fitted with a three section hinge on the back of the lid. The top of the cannon perfume bottle is fitted with a silver chain so the it can be hung from a chatelaine and the top of the lid unscrews so the the owner can insert a personal photograph, ( I have demonstrated this with a stamp in the images below) the perfume bottle has a sprung push button catch on the front and the internal lid has the original glass seal. The body has a stepped barrel and end of the cannon has been finished to give the impression that there is a cannon ball within, the perfume bottle has Not been engraved with a previous owners initials or family monogram and it has been impressed in several places with a full set of English silver hallmarks that read as follows,
H.W.D - Lion Passant - Leopard Head - A - Queen Victoria's Head
H.W.D is the makers mark of Henry William Dee, the Lion Passant is the mark of English solid sterling silver, the Leopard Head is the mark of the London assay office, the letter A is the date letter for 1876 and Queen Victoria's Head is the duty mark of the reigning monarch.
The question of the rarity of this bottle is simply answered by asking yourself,
When was the last time you saw a Victorian solid silver chatelaine hung novelty cannon shape perfume bottle that had a photo locket within it?
The condition is Excellent with No Dents, No Splits, No Cracks, No Holes and No Repairs of any kind, the internal gilding is not worn, the hallmarks are all clearly legible, the locket top opens and closes with ease, the bottle clicks shut and seals, the push button mechanism is fully working although as it is used this is very stiff, the bottle has some minor surface marks and scratches along with its patina, these are just the signs of age that are to be expected as the bottle is in its completely original condition. Personally I think that a gentle clean would not go amiss and the this fantastic quality cannon shape perfume or scent bottle looks amazing considering that it's almost 135 years old.
This Extremely Rare Victorian Solid Silver Novelty Cannon Shape Chatelaine Perfume or Scent Bottle by Henry William Dee dated 1876 is one of several pieces of antique silver that I have listed
( Please take a moment to look at my other items )
I am selling the perfume bottle with a Very Low starting price and No Reserve.
Don't miss out to a last second bid !!!...
Thank you for your interest.