Victorian 1887 Silver Mounted Glass Dressing Table Jar by John Grinsell & Sons

Antique Victorian Silver-Mounted Glass Dressing Table Jar / Scent Bottle

Maker: John Grinsell & Sons | Birmingham | 1887

A handsome late Victorian silver-mounted glass dressing table jar, made by John Grinsell & Sons and hallmarked for Birmingham, 1887. The piece has a wonderfully weighty, clear glass body with rounded square form, thick walls and deeply recessed panels, giving it that lovely optical quality associated with good late 19th-century dressing table glass.

The hinged silver lid has a smooth domed form with a warm golden interior, likely gilt-washed to protect the silver from scent, cosmetics or dressing table contents. The silver collar bears the maker’s mark J.G & S, for John Grinsell & Sons, alongside the Birmingham assay mark and Victorian date letter for 1887.

John Grinsell & Sons were respected Birmingham manufacturing silversmiths, particularly known for producing high-quality silver-mounted glass, stoneware and ceramic tablewares. The firm traded as John Grinsell & Sons from 1871, after the earlier Grinsell & Bourne partnership ended, and operated from Victoria Works, Tower Street, Birmingham, with showrooms in London and Glasgow. Their output included silver-mounted jars, claret jugs, biscuit boxes, cruets, decanters and other refined Victorian table and dressing pieces.

This example has real decorative presence: elegant, tactile and beautifully made, with the sort of quality glass and silver mounting that made Grinsell pieces popular in the late Victorian period. It would look fabulous on a dressing table, bathroom shelf, collector’s cabinet or styled with other antique silver and vanity pieces.

Condition

Good antique condition overall, with some minor age-related wear. The glass shows some minor surface scratches, and small signs of use, particularly visible around the base shows it's age 139 years old!! and sides. The silver lid closes perfectly as well as the day it was made quality The hinge present and functional . No obvious major cracks etc very minor nibbles to base and edge not noticeable and does not detract from the beauty of the item

Displayed with other items illustration only not included for sale separately

13 cm tall

10 cm square at base

Antique item with age-related wear, surface marks and signs of use as expected; sold as a decorative and collectible piece, not for modern cosmetic or food use.