Bottle (Perfume or scent bottle)

Museum Object Number 1958.0513

Object Name

Bottle (Perfume or scent bottle)

Category

Organic (ivory, horn, etc.)

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

S. M. (Maker)

Place of Origin

London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Date

1885-1886

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Cap, rim; S. M in rectangle, stamped
2. Mark; Cap, rim; lion passant, leopard's head, "K", stamped

Materials

Shell (mollusk); Silver

Dimensions (inches)

2.638 (H) , 1.378 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

6.7 (H) , 3.5 (Diam)

Object Description

Web - 02/01/2021

A soldier cone shell was used to make this small scent container with a silver cap featuring several maker’s marks: “S.M”, a lion passant, a leopard’s head in shield, and the date letter “K”. With the scientific name Conus miles, this species can be found in Hawaii and the entire Indo-Pacific region. The original snail, like all cone species, was predatory, venomous, and capable of stinging humans. Thus harvesting this desirable shape and patterned shell came with added risk.