Antique Silver Guides · Mozeris Fine Antiques
Antique Silver Scent Bottles
An antique silver scent bottle is a small silver or silver-mounted bottle for scent or smelling salts, carried for two centuries in plain, enamelled, jewelled and novelty forms. Form, maker and decoration decide value, and bottles by Sampson Mordan are especially sought after.
Updated October 2026
Small, jewel-like and infinitely varied, antique silver and silver-mounted scent bottles held perfume and smelling salts, and the finest are by celebrated makers. A guide to identifying, dating, valuing and selling antique silver scent bottles in the UK.
What Is Your Silver Scent Bottle Worth?
Send a photo, including the marks on the cap or collar, and we'll value it free, with no obligation. We reply within one working day.
For two centuries a lady carried scent or smelling salts in a small silver or silver-mounted bottle; some plain and practical, others jewelled, enamelled or shaped as novelties. Compact, decorative and hugely varied, antique scent bottles are an irresistible collecting field, and rare forms by good makers fetch prices far beyond their size.
Silver scent bottles: what they are
A silver scent bottle is a small bottle, silver or glass with a silver mount, for carrying scent or smelling salts.
A scent bottle (or perfume / smelling-salts bottle) is a small flask of silver, or of cut glass with a silver mount and cap, for perfume or aromatic salts. Forms include the double-ended bottle (scent at one end, salts at the other), hinged-cap and screw-cap bottles, châtelaine-hung bottles, and novelties shaped as horns, eggs or animals. Many are Victorian; makers such as Sampson Mordan are especially collected. Browse our silver collection.
"With scent bottles it's form, maker and novelty that count: a Sampson Mordan or a figural bottle far outvalues a plain one."
What collectors look for
Scent bottle collectors look for a noted maker such as Sampson Mordan, novelty and double-ended forms, fine decoration and good condition.
- Named makersSampson Mordan and other noted makers are keenly collected; check the cap and collar marks.
- Novelty formsFigural, double-ended, enamelled and jewelled bottles over plain examples.
- ConditionSound hinges and threads, original stopper, uncracked glass, bright unworn silver.
- DecorationFine engraving, repoussé, enamel or gilt interiors lift desirability and value.
What are antique silver scent bottles worth?
Every piece is valued individually. These are the things we look at:
What drives value
- MakerSampson Mordan and other noted makers.
- FormFigural, double-ended and novelty bottles, against plain ones.
- DecorationEnamel, repoussé, gilding or jewelling.
- ConditionA sound cap, hinge and thread, and uncracked glass.
- CompletenessThe original stopper in place.
Every piece is different. Send us a few photos and we will tell you what your scent bottle is worth, free and with no obligation. Get a free valuation
What Determines Value
The value of a silver scent bottle is decided by the maker, the form, the decoration, condition and completeness.
The factors we assess on a silver scent bottle:
- Maker: Sampson Mordan and noted makers over unmarked pieces.
- Form: Figural, double-ended and novelty over plain.
- Decoration: Enamel, repoussé, gilding, jewelling.
- Condition: Sound cap, hinge and thread; uncracked glass.
- Completeness: Original stopper and any inner glass present.
- Marks: Clear hallmarks on the cap or silver collar.
Marks are on the cap or collar. Look for the lion passant for sterling. Plate is marked EPNS.
What We Look For When a Scent Bottle Arrives
When a scent bottle arrives we read the marks on the cap and collar, and look out for the Sampson Mordan mark.
Then we check that the cap, hinge and thread work, that the glass is uncracked and that the original stopper survives, and we note any enamel or jewelling.
How selling works
- Send photosUse the form on this page, or email them to us.
- A specialist reviews itMaker, marks, age and condition.
- Free estimate by emailWithin one working day.
- You decidePaid once agreed. No obligation.
Free valuation
Request a free valuation
Send us a few photos of your scent bottle. A specialist looks at every request personally and replies by email with an estimate within one working day. There is no obligation to sell.
What to photograph
- The whole piece. The bottle from the front and the side.
- The cap open. The inside of the cap and the stopper.
- The hallmarks, close up. On the silver cap and the collar.
Prefer email? Send photos to info@mozerisfineantiques.com or call 01376 334 482.
Ways to sell
- Mayfair (by appointment)
- Braintree (by appointment)
- Royal Mail Special Delivery
- Free FedEx collection
We buy directly, with payment once you accept our offer, and we can also sell for you by consignment or in our own auctions.
How to identify and date your scent bottle
Look on the silver cap and collar for the lion passant, the town mark, the date letter and the maker's mark.
| Mark | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Maker's mark | The initials of the maker or firm, in a shield. |
| Lion passant | The English mark for sterling silver. |
| Town mark | The assay office: leopard's head for London, anchor for Birmingham. |
| Date letter | The year of assay. The letter style and shield change with each cycle. |
Look on the silver cap and collar (mount) for the lion passant (sterling), town mark, date letter and maker's mark, the celebrated Sampson Mordan mark ("S.MORDAN & CO") is well worth finding. Plated or unmarked mounts are worth far less; see our EPNS vs sterling silver guide. The date letter dates it. Use our how to read silver hallmarks guide. As these are small, form and maker matter far more than silver weight.
Scent bottles sit with the small silver and dressing-table pieces. See our guides to vinaigrettes, vesta cases and browse our silver for sale. When you're ready to sell, visit sell your silver.
Sterling or plate?
Sterling silver
- Lion passant: the English sterling mark
- A town mark, a date letter and a maker's mark
- Valued as antique silver: maker, date, form and condition
Silver plate (EPNS)
- Stamped EPNS or A1, with no lion passant or date letter.
- The marks often imitate hallmarks, so check each one
- Worth far less: decorative value only
Value Your Scent Bottle
Send photographs of the bottle and the marks on the cap or collar, and we'll give you an honest, no-obligation valuation.
Strictly by appointment only: no walk-ins at either office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver scent bottles: common questions.
What is a silver scent bottle?
How much is an antique silver scent bottle worth?
Who was Sampson Mordan?
What is a double-ended scent bottle?
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Where can I sell an antique silver scent bottle in the UK?
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the scent bottle and the marks on the cap or collar. We'll respond within one working day.
Sell Your Antique Silver Scent Bottle
We buy antique silver and silver-mounted scent bottles (Sampson Mordan, double-ended, enamelled and novelty forms) valued as antique silver, not as scrap. Free valuation, no obligation.