Monday, October 20, 2008

Vintage Perfume Bottles

Pin It Now!

My mom and I love the same things. I sometimes wonder if I would have the same taste in these things if it weren't for my mom. When I was growing up, my mom and grandmother would shop at thrift stores looking for old linens, jewelry and anything else that was a "quality" item that they could get for next to nothing. I think they were way ahead of their time. I also think there were a lot more great things available in the thrift stores back in the 60's and 70's just by looking at some of the things my mom bought.
My mom started collecting perfume bottles and she has quite a collection. Last week she gave me some of hers...all of these pictured above! It was like Christmas as I was unwrapping each bottle. Here are closeups of some of them (you can click on them to enlarge).

This green one is my favorite!







She has 3 more of these old Shalimar bottles in different sizes!

This powder jar above belonged to my Grandmother so it's really special. I don't have very many things that belonged to her. She was born on Halloween in 1889 and she passed away December 19th 1986...one hour before my son was born.

50 comments:

Sharon~heartsongs said...

I'm sure you had fun going thru those bottles. They are beautiful. I like the green one the best too.

Reginas Cottage said...

Hi Cindy
Ilove your vintage parfüm bottles.
They are wonderful.
And your autumn centerpices from the
last posting,looks very nice.I love
it.Thank you for the inspiration.
Have a nice day!!
Hugs,Regina

Charmingdesigns said...

Those are just beautiful. I think the bottom one is my favorite. Laurie

Unknown said...

Those are beautiful. I find glass very tactile.
The powder jar is very nice. I love "things" that have history behind them. :)

ROXY said...

What a beautiful collection! They are all so pretty!

Mary said...

They are so beautiful, Cindy! Isn't it wonderful how our mothers have so influenced our tastes. I sometimes wonder if my daughter will share my tastes... I'm not sure she does, so far....

Your grandmother's powder jar is so special! My dad was born on Halloween as well, in 1910. He died a year before we were married.

xoxo,
Mary

Ginger said...

Hi Cindy:
I have a small collection of old perfume bottles also. I've bought a couple in antique stores, but they aren't cheap anymore.
I guess this ages me...but I still use Shalimar occasionally. The bottles now are pretty plain.
Your collection looks pretty on the tray.
Ginger

BailiwickStudio said...

The perfume bottles are lovely! I've often been tempted to start a collection of them, but, really, do I need another collection of anything? lol ::Jill

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Perfume bottles make me weak at the knees... You have a lovely collection....

Anonymous said...

Well..... I am such a dork..... I love old perfume bottles.... but didn't know what to do with them....duh.... gosh ..... that is just just stunning sitting under your chandelier.....
I think that is why your taste and abilities are so refined because of your early influences.... I had none.... so I have some catching up to do....
Hugs
Linda

Suzann said...

Miss Cindy ~
LOVE the vintage bottles!!!

You've been tagged by ME. Pop by my blog to play along.

Hugs,
Suzann

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy! I am a perfume junkie and am kicking myself that I didn't save all my old bottles!!! I even had Shalimar which I found a little too heavy to wear but the bottle was pretty! You got me thinking how many different perfumes I've purchased since 18!LOTS also I'm sorry your grandma passed so close to your son's birth. That must have been very hard. Glad you have that pretty container though. Nice Post - Have a great night - Jeannette

Cowgirl in the City said...

Love those bottles! I wish my mom and grandmother collected such beautiful little knick-nacks. I'm not sure unwrapping my mom's Boyd's Bears or old dolls would create such a pleasurable moment as you enjoyed.

Love them!

Glenda said...

My mom had wonderful old perfume bottles as well. My sister to the lot of those. There beautiful in there own way. I noticed one in the back by the vase that looked painted as well is that one old ?

Ciao

Debbie said...

I too, have my Grandmother's powder jar. It is on my vanity where I can see it every morning. I'm sure you will treasure your powder jar as much as I treasure mine. Enjoy!

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a treasure you've inherited in those perfume bottles!
Brenda

Fleur de Bee said...

Christmas indeed!! I actually recognize a lot of those bottles as my mom gave me hers. Some of them sadly broken in a move long ago but hey, I can enjoy yours.

Penny Sue said...

Dear Miss Cindy,

Once again, you have done a fantastic job with your photos. Did you happen to notice on the fourth "enlarged" bottle photo, when you enlarge it, the stopper has a completely perfect reflection of the cupid dish behind it (with the peach beads) only it's upside down. I was hoping to see a reflection of you taking the picture, but, the upside down cupid is too cute.

When are you gonna show us some of the treasures you worked on over the weekend? Or didn't you get the chance?

Gotta run,
Hugs,
Penny

Pink Slippers said...

I think this is one of my favorite posts. Those bottles are gorgeous and romantic. Another new thingie to remember to look for while thrifting in my town. The story about your Grandmother was like reading a short story...I wanted to hear more.....I loved your writings.
Wendy
Thanks for your help--I'm trying to track down the appliques to match the pictures.

...med tiden som hjälp-Linda said...

Beautiful bottles! Romantic! //Linda

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Cindy,
Lovely perfume bottles; little treasures! I like your grandmother's powder jar best. Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi

Virginia said...

Oh! Cindy , how lucky for you to have your Mom give you all those perfume bottles. What a treasure!and to have your grandmother's beautiful powder jar , is real special.
Enjoy.
Blessings, Virginia

Tracy said...

Hi Cindy,

Your perfume bottles are gorgeous! I was interested to read your post, because coincidentally, my grandmother passed her perfume bottles to my mom before she died in 1991 - a few months before my daughter was born. I don't have anything else of hers except 2 hankies and a baby blanket she crotcheted.
My mom gave the bottles to me, and I display them on an antique vanity in my bedroom. I did a post about them last month. My favorite are cobalt blue Evening in Paris bottles, but I also love cut glass bottles and anything with an atomizer. I don't think mine are as old as yours. My grandmother was born in 1925 and I think most of hers are probably from the 1950's to the 1970's. I'm happy to have them, as I'm sure you are.

Anonymous said...

Cindy - beautiful perfume bottles. What is it about them that draws one to them? I just love glass in all shapes and colors and perfume bottles seem to be glass in one of its best forms.

Anonymous said...

Evening, Cindy! I love all those pretty bottles. I know you'll fix up a special place for them. Your Grandmother would be so proud you're showing the powder box to all of us!
Be a sweeti,
Shelia ;)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Cindy those bottles are beautiful! How wonderful that your mother and grandmother inspired your interest and are a continuing inspiration in life and memory.

Millie said...

Those bottles are beautiful. My sister and I collect mini perfume bottles. There is such beauty in the glass styles. Love it!

Anonymous said...

GASP! I LOVE your parfum bottles AND the tray they are resting on! I did a bit on making your own scents so if you'd like to fill those bottles with your own signature scent check my archives!
Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Laura

ksarra said...

Hi Cindy, I can't wait to show your beautiful perfume bottle collection to my friend. She and I are "early birds" to Saturday morning garage sales. She loves perfume bottles too, and collects the miniature ones. You are so lucky to have inherited these treasures, and they fit PERFECTLY in your beautiful home.

Elaine said...

Absolutely gorgeous perfume bottles. What a nice heirloom to be passed down to you. Your mom sounds wonderful.

Alison Gibbs said...

How wonderful of your Mom to hand them onto you. They are beautiful.
Alison

Free Art Printables said...

So pretty!

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen a Dorothy Gray bottle in years! Thanks for a nice memory of my mother. I recieved a bunch of vintage perfume bottles from Freecycle. They are cluttering my dresser too! (:

By the way... have you ever checked the site Shopgoodwill.com ? There are loads of vintage perfume bottles on there sometimes. Just type "Vintage perfume bottles" in the search box and you'll see. You only have to bid on them! Careful though... it's addictive!!!

Joanne Kennedy said...

They are pretty. I hope you don't kill me after I tell you my story though.

My aunt passed away years ago and my uncle kept everything of hers until he died a few years ago. My sister and I would go to his place and clean out everything so we could get his place sold.

My aunt had lots of bottles of perfume from way back when. Some still had the perfume in them. She was funny because she would say she was saving them for when she went out. She didn't understand that in time they go bad.

Anyway, we came across bottle after bottle with some going back to when she was very young in the late 20's and early 30's.

I have bad allergies so I can't stand to be around perfume and my sister just doesn't like anything old so we gave them all away when we donated a bunch of stuff.

I guess someone was really happy when they found them at the thrift store.

I wasn't blogging then or I would have offered them to anyone who wanted them.

Joanne

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful collection, Cindy... All the more special that your mom gave them to you. Yes, I'd say she and your grandmother were ahead of their time... Donna

Anonymous said...

oooh Cindy I just saw this on Flickr and left you a comment on there.

absolutely gorgeous, love the Shalimar one the best, I'd really like some of these, I've never ever seen them in my thrifting but I am gonna Ebay them now, mmm mmm

great inspiration and great photos too

Sarah

Jane O' said...

It would definitely be like Chirstmas to me, too. I have that swirly one myself. I just sold quite a few of my bottles at several large antique sales we had because we are moving and I'm trying to downsize. But I still have a passion for perfume bottles.
See http://happenstancehouse.blogspot.com

Julie said...

Nice collection. I love the ones with the Lalique (spelling??) bottles.

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Beautiful vintage perfume bottles! I love your grandma's powder jar too. So sad that she passed an hour before your son was born and that they never had the chance to know one another.

Jennspiration said...

What a neat collection. I recognized one of those that my mom had at one point...I don't remember the name of it.

I wonder if my Juicy Couture bottle will be a vintage someday? :)

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet display. The bottle with the jasmine label is so darling. What thoughtful gifts these bottles were!

said...

I don't even collect perfume bottles but I'd be like a pig in mud if I got these as a gift!

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Love your bottle collection. I have recently started collecting them also.

Tea Time With Melody said...

I love the look of the bottles on the tray under the lamp light. Very impressive.

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

GASP! Look at those gorgeous bottles! What a nice mommy to give them to you. One is prettier than the next. Your linens are to die for too, esp. the baby pillow.

So glad you have a few of your grandmother's things. What a bittersweet story of her going as your son was being born. She certainly lived a long life!

I suppose we should thank your mom for instilling her decorating gift in you!

Life on the Edge said...

I just love vintage perfume bottles. I have a couple that I bought some time ago, but I can't remember where I put them! lol

Your's are just lovely!

Kady

Susie said...

Cindy, What a beautiful collection and history from your Mom and Grandmother. To be cherished. I especially liked the last picture.
Susie of The Polka Dot Rose

Sweetina said...

Lovely vintage perfume bottles! Oh my each one is prettier than the next! fabulous!

Drawn to The Sea said...

How wonderful that you & your mom share an affection for those pretty bottles. I especially love the stopper of the frosted one... the thick glass sphere ( sleepy me, can't think of the term for it ).

Pleasant day,
Julia @ Drawn to the Sea

do pheromones work said...

The perfume bottle is often meant to be a physical representation of the perfume and even though I am not good for a fragrance descriptions but I wanted to have a perfume collections.

isey