Indian Egg-Form Perfume Container

Nothing hatches from this egg but a good smell.

This egg-form perfume container comes from India, late 19th or early 20th century, in silver and gold. Perfumed oils held an honored place in Indian hospitality, and fine containers kept them ready to offer guests at a gathering or to perfume a room. The egg rises from a stepped round foot on a short stem. Long, pointed leaf shapes are engraved around its lower half, with a scalloped band and small punched dots above. A thin seam runs up the side, and a tall ball finial sits on top. It stands 6.25 inches high and 3 in diameter.

Guests once expected this sort of thing.