Perfume bottle

Unknown

1760s · Gold, bloodstone · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Imported from overseas, bloodstone has long been thought to have healing and protective properties beneficial to people who own it or carry it on their person. In addition, the perfume stored inside this elegant bottle not only made up for the lack of personal hygiene but also helped to ward off foul odors, which were though to carry disease. This gemstone owes its name to the randomly arranged red splashes of iron oxide minerals which look like spattered blood.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1760s

Medium

Gold, bloodstone

Culture

Probably English

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019