The use of scents, aromas and fragrances dates back to ancient civilisations with the Egyptians and Assyrians developing methods of extraction such as pressing, decoction and pulverization to produce essential oils. The late 18th century saw the introduction of synthetic fragrances and the large scale production of perfume followed making fragrance available to a mass market. Prior to the 20th century many women would either mix their own perfumes or would buy them from the local perfumer. These would be decanted into bottles which would be refilled over and over. These bottles were usually larger than modern examples and were intended to hold a woman's stock of perfume which she would decant into smaller bottles like this acorn shaped one that she may have worn around her neck or at her waist on a chaterlain.

This perfume bottle was owned by Nellie Shortland who lived in Sydney in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Little is known about her, though the collection this vase is from indicated that she was from a prosperous family. There are papers with letterhead of the Woods, Shortland and Co, General Carriers based at Central Railway Station in Sydney. She went to the Argyle School in Surry Hills and studied music with Trinity College, London in 1893-1894. The personal effects that make up this collection give a good indication of the types of things a young women living in late Victorian Sydney would use on a day to day basis.

This perfume bottle was used by Nellie Shortland.

Perfume bottle, metal / glass, maker unknown, used by Nellie Shortland, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1900

Small perfume bottle in the shape of an acorn made of gold metal. The body is frosted and the lid flips open to reveal a small glass stopper. There is a short chain and loop attached to the top. The bottle may have been worn around the neck or on a chaterlain.

2005/153/3

83 mm

23 mm

23 mm