Lot 372

Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Overlay Glass Perfume Bottle

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Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Overlay Glass Perfume Bottle

Estimate: $60 - $90

Starting Bid: $30

(0 Bids)

by Sarasota Estate Auction
June 13, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
522 South Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota , FL, US 34236

Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Overlay Glass Perfume Bottle. The silver forms a lattice-work pattern around the piece, with the stopper completely enclosed and a larger patch on one side to indicate where the label would be. 

Size: 3 1/2 x 3 x 3 in. 

In 1889 the decorative technique of applying silver designs to glass was patented by Oscar Pierre Erand and John Benjamin Round for Stevens & Williams Ltd in Birmingham, England. It had the shortcoming that the reverse side of the silver next to the glass would tarnish and turn dark, but silver overlay swiftly became a highly desirable design on decorative and functional objects throughout the Western world. In 1893 a patent was registered in the United States by John H. Sharling of New Jersey, which had the distinct advantage that the reverse side was white and stayed that way by utilizing electroplating. When threatened with a lawsuit by Stevens & Williams, he instead shared his methods with multiple other makers throughout the United States, which led to the heyday of silver overlay. From 1895 to the early 1920s it became an artform in its own right and had an avid following, but it was a very labor intensive and expensive process, which led to a downturn due to supply shortages and changing tastes during World War I. By the mid 30s the style had gone out of vogue, but a revival followed immediately after World War II as silversmiths and manufacturers pivoted away from wartime production into decorative and functional glasswares once again, and lasted until the late 1950s as synthetic materials and plastics began to supplant older housewares and goods.

  • Condition:

    All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $249 $25
$250 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,499 $100
$2,500 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $19,999 $500
$20,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $2,500
$100,000 $249,999 $5,000
$250,000 $499,999 $10,000
$500,000 + $25,000