Perfume Bottle
Unknown Artist
1840–50
Medium
Free-blown molded aquamarine glass
Dimensions
H. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Classification
Perfume bottle
Culture
American or French
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Constance R. Brown, 1939
Accession Number
40.150.105
Art Historical Context
This delicate perfume bottle, crafted between 1840 and 1850, exemplifies the refined glassmaking traditions of the mid-19th century. Made of free-blown molded aquamarine glass, stands just 5¼ inches tall, its vibrant blue-green hue evoking the allure of tropical seas. Free-blowing involved heating glass until molten, then blowing it into a precisely carved mold to achieve intricate patterns and smooth contours without visible seams—a technique that highlighted the artisan's skill and allowed for elegant, affordable luxury items. Likely American or French in origin, the bottle reflects the era...