The perfume bottle’s evolution is no modern invention. These days, some of the most famously recognizable bottles can range from the iconic Chanel No. 5 to Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds. However, perfume bottles pre-date our ability to buy them at a department store or order them online. Since ancient times, perfume bottles have been crafted to hold scented oils, taking on many decorative formats that have even been showcased in museums. From ancient Chinese dynasties to 17th century Europe, the perfume bottle has taken on many designs throughout history.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 6th Century BC
Image Credit: Universal Images Group via Getty Alabastron for perfumes with scene depicting a woman with a dog. Black figures. 6th century BC. From Empuries. Girona Archaeological Museum, Spain.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 4th Century BC
Image Credit: Universal Images Group via Getty Ancient Greece, Aryballos. Used to contain perfume or oil. Decorated with four warriors with shield, helmet and spear. From Corintio. 4th century BC. Museum of Perfume, Barcelona, Spain.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, Circa 1750-1800
Image Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images Perfume Flask in form of a Book, France, circa 1750/1800. Artist Unknown.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 1775
Image Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images Scent Bottle: Huntsman, Ludwigsburg, circa 1775. Artist Ludwigsburg Porcelain Factory.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 18th Century
Image Credit: Heritage Images/Getty Images Jade tubular perfume holder with sage and servant in rocky landscape, Qing dynasty, China, 18th century. A jade (nephrite) reticulated perfume holder or incense stick. The stone is slightly off white in colour and carved with a sage, servant and pavilion in a rocky landscape.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, Circa 1800
Image Credit: Heritage Images/Getty Images Diamond-cut scent bottle with sulphide representing the Prince Regent, c1800. With cut ‘mushroom’ stopper.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 18th-19th Century
Image Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images Perfume Bottle (Attardan) and Tray, 18th/19th century. Artist Unknown.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 19th Century
Image Credit: De Agostini via Getty Images Perfume bottle in filigree milk glass on the left, manufactured by Clichy, on the right Dwerlay glass from Charles X period. France, 19th century.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 19th Century
Image Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images Scent Bottle, Bohemia, Mid to late 19th century. Artist Bohemia Glass.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 19th Century
Image Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images Perfume Bottle with Stopper, Lunéville, Late 19th century. Artist Baccarat Glasshouse.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 19th Century
Image Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images Miniature Perfume Bottle, Saint Petersburg, Late 19th century. Artist Fabergé Workshop.
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Perfume Bottles Throughout History, 1921
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A perfume flask of “Chanel N°5”, created in 1921, is displayed as part of the exhibition “N°5 culture Chanel” referring to French fashion designer Coco Chanel (1883-1971) at the Palais de Tokyo art museum in Paris, on May 3, 2013. The exhibition ran from May 5 to June 5, 2013.