Smelling Salt Bottle

An intricate silver bottle with swirl handles on either side and scrollwork on the bottom. The bottle is sitting on an ivory table.
A smelling salt bottle from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: England
Year: ca. 1855
Materials: Crystal and Silver Filigree 

Smelling salts, also known as ammonia inhalants or sal volatile, are chemical compounds used for arousing consciousness. They were widely used in Victorian times to revive fainting women who were “tight-laced” in their corsets.  During this time, smelling salts were commonly dissolved with perfume in vinegar or alcohol and soaked onto a sponge, which was then carried on the person in a decorative container called a vinaigrette.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.