Very old perfume bottle, HM or HN or maybe niether, Help

crystal4me · Post by **crystal4me** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:05 pm

I got this one about 6 or 7 months ago and have not been able to figure out the maker because of the worn marks, maybe you can help, I would really appreciate it. The only other mark is a S stamped on the other side of the bottle. Thanks much. Brad.

nigel le sueur · Post by **nigel le sueur** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:36 am

Hi Brad
What l can tell you the piece was assayed in Birmingham in 1911/12 as for the maker the only H M l can find which would fit that period is a Henry Mathews whos mark is very similar, but l cannot be 100% sure

Nigel

crystal4me · Post by **crystal4me** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:27 am

Thanks Nigel I appreciate your help. I did get the Birmingham part but the maker is what was stumping me and also the date but I will except your word on that, sounds about right and so dose the makers name, hey you could just be right and that would be great. It's the only one of this type perfume bottle that is silver and I have 9 or 10 of them but none that are atomizer with a sterling top, that's rare and I have been collecting perfume bottles for some time now but mostly Lalique with the glass stoppers. Thanks again and God Bless. Brad. <><

crystal4me · Post by **crystal4me** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:30 am

Nigel was Henry Mathews specializing in perfume bottles or was that just part of many things he made, do you know? Thanks. Brad.

nigel le sueur · Post by **nigel le sueur** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:48 am

Brad

Henry Mathews is listed as being a maker of a large range of items, l do not have any more on him, prehaps someone on here does, Lalique bottles, very nice are these early ones?

Nigel

crystal4me · Post by **crystal4me** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:04 pm

Thanks for that Nigel, I wonder sometimes who was the biggest on the novelty sterling items, will probably never know but that is for the most part what I collect. Oh and yes I have a little of both, one of the earlier Lalique bottles I have is a Ambre for D'Orsay, all black glass with the four maidens on the corners C1911 1912 and a couple of the earlier atomizer pump types like the one I have up right now but with green sepia and maidens adorning all around 1912 to 26. I just love them all he was one of the greats Nigel. Cheers and God Bless. Brad.

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:07 pm

Hello Brad,

Although the "HM" mark doesn't clearly fit Nigel is probably right about the scent bottle being put to assay by the firm of Henry Matthews.
My records indicate that Matthews first registered a mark with the Birmingham office around 1867 but by 1894 his firm was seemingly in the control of L Spiers t/a D & L Spiers of Vittoria St Birmingham as there was a record at the Chester office of Spiers registering the "HM" mark in that year. The sponsor of the scent bottle probably wasn't therefore Matthews himself.
The firm didn't only do scent bottles. There are examples of work across a wide range from tea sets to buttons.

Mike

crystal4me · Post by **crystal4me** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:46 pm

Wow thanks Mike sounds great, that's more then enough for me to go on. I really appreciate all the help from you guys, your a great asset to the forums and I'm very glad I joined up. It's been a real pleasure to say the least. Everyone is so kind and helpful. God Bless. Brad. <><