Vinaigrette box

Gervaise Wheeler

1835 · Silver · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Gervase Wheeler whose mark was registered in Birmingham in 1831, ran a successful business in that city. His work is represented in The Met’s holdings by two purse-shaped vinaigrettes (1983.575.19 and .49), both with twisted rope handles. This vinaigrette is engraved with foliate scrolls. The interior has a pierced hinged grille and retains a small piece of fine sponge inside. A vinaigrette was intended to hold a tiny sponge dipped in aromatic vinegar. Its interior Is gilded to protect the silver from oxidation caused by the acidity of the vinegar. A hinged and decoratively pierced inner lid or grille kept the sponge in place while its perforations allowed the odor to waft through. A whiff of the vinegar might revive someone from a fainting spell. Such vinaigrettes were worn around the neck, on a chatelaine suspended from the waist, or carried in a pocket.

Artist

Gervaise Wheeler

Date

1835

Medium

Silver

Culture

British, Birmingham

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Herbert K. Reis, in memory of Rose-Frances K. Reis (Mrs. Ralph A. Reis), 1983