Antique Victorian 1896 silver top dressing table ribbed jar Birmingham stunning looks amazing displayed with other items illustration only some age related wear ( it is 130 years old !! ) unfortunately the makers name is rubbed but the quality of it shows it would have been by a good silver smith unusually has a vacant cartouche ( unmarked shield to lid )
10 cm tall
7 cm wide
4 cm depth
Vintage Cut Glass Vanity Jar with Ornate Silver Lid
This charming vintage vanity jar would once have graced a lady’s dressing table — the sort of piece that quietly whispers of powder puffs, tiny glass scent bottles and handwritten love letters. The body is made from clear cut glass with softly faceted panel sides that catch the light beautifully. It feels weighty in the hand and has that lovely quality you only get with earlier glass.
The real star of the show is the lid. Crafted from silver (most likely sterling, given the hallmark-style marks visible), it has an ornate, hand-engraved scroll and foliate design that has softened gently with age. The silver has developed a beautifully mellow patina, which really enhances the period feel. The lid fits snugly over the rim — a reassuringly good, proper “made to last” fit.
Pieces like this were typically used for face powder, hairpins, trinkets or small keepsakes, but today they look wonderful displayed on a dressing table, bathroom shelf, or styled with other decorative glass and silver items.
Condition
• The glass jar is in lovely vintage condition with only light age-related wear.
• The silver lid shows gentle surface wear and patina, entirely consistent with age — personally, I think it adds to the charm.
• Lid sits securely and displays beautifully.
(As always, please do look closely at the photos as they form part of the description.)
Why we love it 💛
It’s classic, elegant and quietly luxurious. The mix of silver and glass always feels so timeless — perfect for anyone who loves antique dressing-table accessories, romantic interiors, or that touch of bygone glamour. And because it’s useful as well as beautiful, it makes a gorgeous gift or heirloom piece to keep and enjoy.
