Scent of Success

By Barbara J. Eash
Antiques Appraiser

This perfume bottle belonged to my grandparents, and is more than 75 years old. On the front, it says “Sandalwood,” and the back label reads “Vantine’s Eastern Perfumes.” What more can you tell me?

—E.W., Wallkill, NY

A: This dramatic 18½-inch-tall bottle was part of a counter display from a New York City gift store. Vantine’s Oriental Store advertised itself as “the most interesting store in the world” and even gave away postcards showing views of the store. No wonder! At a time when Americans knew very little about Asia, Ashley Abraham Van Tine (1821-1890) established the AA Vantine Company, importers of “artistic and useful products from Japan, China, India, Turkey and Persia.”

From its furniture-packed basement to the embroidered silks on the second floor, Vantine’s helped create a craze for all things Oriental. The main floor featured the Curio Room, with lovely porcelain, exotic rugs, jewelry, perfumes and more, as well as a tearoom popular with ladies shopping.

Your bottle advertised the Sandalwood fragrance, introduced in 1906. Sandalwood luxuries such as extract, talcum, cream and toilet water were all sold in similar packaging featuring Asian-inspired design, a paper label and even a mushroom-style stopper. It’s worth about $250.