Collecting Perfume Bottles

Until I realised they were just sitting on the dressing gathering dust, I used to love my small collection of crystal perfume bottles, which included one made by Lalique.
They are a popular collectable, and although vintage ones, particularly from the early 20^th century, are much sought after, with celebrities lending their names to the enormous range of smellies available, and with increasingly stiff competition, the range of styles, shapes and materials now used for perfume bottles is increasing by the day.
There are a number of reference books devoted to collecting perfume bottles, in addition to collectors’ clubs.
As with all collectables, where there is a such a large range available, it is best to concentrate on a particualr type, which could include atomisers, crystal ones, those with filigree decoration, or mini purse flacons or those from a particular perfume manafacturer.
If interested in collecting perfume bottles from commercial houses, pick your marque and do some research into their history.
At the top of the range many of the finest ‘art glass’ pieces, such as Lalique or Baccarat were manufactured from 1900-1930s, and the beautiful iridescent pieces from Steuben and Tiffany are scarce and highly collectable.
If you don't have much space to store or display your collection then try collecting miniatures as they don't take up too much space.
When buying, try to ensure that the bottles are in the best condition, as these will be more likely to retain their value, but if you manage to acquire a rare bottle, such as a Lalique one, a minor chip or nick shouldn't be too crucial. Also look to see if labels are present, and pay attention to any gilding. Look out for nicks along the mouth of the bottle, most likely caused by the stoppers being taken in and out over time.
Perfume in its original box will have added value and some collectors prefer to buy sealed bottles full of perfume, but bear in mind that the perfume itself may well have lost its smell.
Make sure the stopper and the base match, as sometimes stoppers will be replaced if broken; you may find numbers scratched into the base of the bottle and on the stopper, which are generally found on French crystal pieces. This is a way of showing that the stopper was ground to an exact fit for its particular bottle..
Any perfume residue can be cleaned out by using a cleaning agent such as bleach, ammonia or liquid bathroom cleansers, but be sure to keep any moisture away from the labels.
If buying online make sure that you know the size of the bottle, as some may look big on your computer screen and you could find yourself disappointed when it is delivered.
Always ask the seller about the age of the bottle, and be sure to do your research and look at any pictures carefully before buying. If in doubt, take out insurance.