Atlanta Antique Gallery - Perfume/Factice/Cologne Bottles

The second half of the 19th century was the golden age for decorative antique bottles, e.g., perfume bottles, cologne bottles, and scent bottles. An antique atomizer, for example, is a perfume bottle with a spray mechanism. Antique cologne bottles, however, usually are larger antique bottles that have stoppers, which also were often used as applicators. An antique perfume bottle has a stopper that often is elongated and designed to be an applicator. Antique scent bottles are small antique bottles used to hold a scent or smelling salts. An antique vinaigrette bottle is an ornamental box or bottle that has a perforated top and is used to hold aromatic vinegar or smelling salts. And, finally, factices are a representation of a commercial product that is generally mass produced and sold in retail stores, and is used as a display item. They look identical to the actual product, except they don't carry actual perfume, but a colored water and alcohol mixture. Most often they are giant bottles, but they also are made in miniature sizes as well.

The Atlanta Antique Gallery has a wonderful selection of antique perfume bottles and factices.