MAKER'S MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., NEW YORK, CIRCA 1880

Vinaigrettes, or small containers holding scented vinegar, were quite popular from the mid-18th century to the late 19th century. They were used by ladies (and sometimes by gentlemen) to ward off faintness. Vinaigrettes are characterized by a pierced metal grille under the cover which held a small sponge saturated with scent. Often, vinaigrettes were attached to chatelaines, ornamental clasps worn at a woman's waist. Several small useful items might be suspended from a chatelaine, including keys, a thimble case, a watch, an tui, scissors or a charm. In 1880, Tiffany's annual Blue Book lists chatelaines for sale: "Silver, with one or more pendants for fan, smelling bottles, and other articles. Plain and variously enriched, $6 to $100." (as quoted in Charles Carpenter, Tiffany Silver, rpt. 1997, pp. 112-113)