Antique French Sterling Silver Gold Vermeil Liquor Flask, Cut Glass Bottle, Box

Description

Description
Antique Belle Epoque era French sterling silver and cut glass traveling `spirits' liquor flask housed in the original presentation box. The flask comprises of a tapered hand blown clear glass bottle decorated with wheel cut fluting. Retains a glass stopper. Decorated with sterling silver mounts richly enhanced in gold vermeil finish. Comprising of a round knob lid, collar and removable tumbler cup sheathing the base, ideal for a shot of one’s favorite liquor or spirits. The lid and cup patterned with a stylized palmette frieze, the cup further decorated with an engraved monogram of initials MS or SM. The mounts are hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark. In use from 1838, the mark depicts the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her to denote a silver content of .950/1000 silver (95% silver and a higher grade of finesse than the standard .925 for sterling). Bearing maker's marks for silversmith Joseph Crossard, active from 1900-1920, whose firm was located at 36 rue de Montmorency in Paris. The flask measures 5 ¾” length. The box measures 6 7/8” x 3” x 1 7/8” height. In overall good antique condition with general wear from use and age. No chips or cracks to the elegant cut glass flask.
Sometimes mistaken for a perfume bottle, bottles such as these were originally serviceable as portable flasks intended for liquor, 'spirits', tonics and herbals. Though certainly usable for perfume if desired and are perfect to display among scent bottle collections. These flasks could easily hold a substantial amount of one's favorite liquor, to be served in the detachable tumbler or drinking cup at the base and ideal for a 'shot' of whiskey or flavored liqueur. These highly collectible 'spirit' flasks are also known as carriage flasks, handy for short travel and easily stow-able in a purse or pocket during a night out at the theatre or opera. Also referred to as a flacon a eau de melisse, after a type of herbal 'spirits' similar to absinthe made from lemon balm favored for its fresh citrus taste and used as a tonic against migraines. A convenient accessory for a suitable "restoratif" on a cold carriage journey or at a tedious social event.
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