A scent of history

Status symbol and air freshener

Vinaigrettes were a status symbol for ladies, who carried them in an inside pocket or small pouch. They were often used as romantic gifts from a gentleman to a lady as a sign of his serious intentions. The more beautiful the vinaigrette, the more affluent you were! The vinaigrettes were small scent/aromatics containers, which were generally made of silver, gilded silver or, less commonly, gold. Among other things, the vinaigrettes were used when attending church to mask the often foul odours, and in the case of indisposition – the corsets of the day were so tight that it was not unusual for ladies to suffer malaise.

From roses to vinegar and ammonia

A vinaigrette “hovedvandsæg” consists of a covered cup (sponge compartment) on a base. The scent and sponge were kept in the sponge compartment. The scent could be some sort of scented water, such as rose water, or a more pungent mix with vinegar or ammonia. A sniff of the wet sponge, or a dab of the face with it, had a reviving effect. The base of the vinaigrette typically housed a small compartment for the more powerful and costly balm, such as ambergris and musk.

300 years of scent history at auction

Vinaigrettes date back to the late 17th century and were used until the mid-19th century. The design of the vinaigrettes was subject to the fashion whims of the day and geographical origin. The majority of the vinaigrettes up for auction at auction 830 and online auction 1224 are from their Rococo heyday, but beautiful Louis XVI vinaigrettes also feature. Of particular interest to collectors are the southern Jutland vinaigrettes, which are typically adorned with coloured glass stones, and the Amager vinaigrettes, which appeared in the late 18th century and are typically heart-shaped and taller than the other vinaigrettes. 

Physician Oskar Secher’s collection has not previously been put up for auction. A copy of Secher’s list of vinaigrettes can be viewed at the preview at Bredgade 33 until 4 June and at Sundkrogsgade 30 in Copenhagen until 14 June. Please note that we are closed on 5 June (Constitution Day). See opening times

See all vinaigrettes from the auction at Bredgade (To be sold on 8 June from 2 pm)

See all vinaigrettes from online auction 1224 (To be sold on 14 June from 8 pm)