Pendant scent bottle 1870 - 1890

This pendant scent bottle was crafted by Reinhold Vasters, a 19th-century goldsmith known for his historicist creations. It’s made primarily of silver, with the image of a bearded man and a book picked out in enamel. Look closely, and you’ll see the complex techniques involved. Vasters likely used casting for the basic forms, then chasing and engraving to add fine details. Consider the contrast between the smooth surfaces and the textured areas, achieved through careful tooling. The silver is not just a neutral material here; its reflectivity and malleability are central to the pendant's precious character. Vasters' workshop produced many objects like this, often imitating Renaissance designs. His work speaks to the nineteenth century's fascination with the past, and also to the growth of a market for luxury goods. The very act of wearing perfume transforms it from a mundane necessity to a marker of status and refinement. By appreciating the skill and the historical context, we can see this pendant as more than just a pretty trinket.