Presenting a museum-quality antique miniature perfume bottle, a remarkable surviving artifact of Imperial court elegance. Standing at a diminutive 35mm, this exquisite chatelaine-style scent flask is masterfully hand-carved from a single piece of natural, semi-translucent bluish-grey agate, polished to a smooth, heart-shaped finish.
The bottle is heavily ornamented with intricate solid silver appliques that denote profound historical and royal significance. The obverse features a prominent, beautifully intertwined silver monogram of Empress Maria, surmounted by a detailed Imperial crown. The reverse is adorned with the imposing Imperial double-headed eagle coat of arms, a universal symbol of supreme imperial authority. The flask is finished with a matching, hand-carved agate stopper, securely mounted in a threaded silver collar flanked by dual suspension rings for attachment to a chatelaine or silk cord.
Historical Context
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bespoke vanity items of this caliber were commissioned exclusively for the aristocracy and members of the Imperial court. The use of natural, hard-carved stones like agate required exceptional lapidary skill, making such pieces highly prized luxury items. The presence of the Imperial double-headed eagle, alongside the crowned monogram of Empress Maria, elevates this piece from a mere decorative vanity accessory to a direct artifact of imperial patronage or personal royal ownership. Such miniature scent bottles were designed to hold highly concentrated, bespoke perfumes and were carried close to the body by noblewomen as a marker of immense wealth, refined taste, and proximity to the crown.
Item Specifications
Feature
Detail
Material
Hand-carved natural Agate, Solid Silver
Height
35 mm (approx. 1.37 inches)
Obverse Motif
Silver Imperial Crown and Empress Maria Monogram
Reverse Motif
Silver Imperial Double-Headed Eagle Coat of Arms
Hardware
Threaded silver collar with dual chatelaine suspension rings
Closure
Matching carved agate threaded stopper
Condition Report
This antique artifact is in exceptional, collector-ready condition. The provided high-resolution macro photography serves as definitive visual evidence of the item’s remarkable preservation and lapidary craftsmanship.
Agate Body & Stopper: The hand-carved natural agate is structurally flawless, featuring beautiful natural stone inclusions with no visible cracks, chips, or stress fractures . The faceted agate stopper perfectly matches the body .
Silver Appliques: The silver Empress Maria monogram, Imperial crown, and double-headed eagle are firmly secured to the stone body. The silver retains incredibly sharp detailing with a rich, authentic, unpolished patina commensurate with age
Base Mounts: The silver protective base mounts remain intact and secure, ensuring the bottle rests safely.
Hardware (Threads): The threaded silver collar and stopper mechanism operate smoothly and close tightly. The internal threading is pristine, clean, and structurally sound
Shipping & Handling
Given the delicate historical nature and royal provenance of this antiquity, it will be packaged utilizing professional-grade, archival-quality protective materials to ensure absolute security during transit.
There are no reviews yet.