Preliminary identification

Egyptian Mouth-Blown Gilded Perfume Bottle

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

A delicate, mouth-blown glass perfume bottle featuring a rich purple body accented with hand-painted 24-karat gold luster detailing. The vessel is topped with a flame-like clear glass stopper and supported by a clear pedestal foot, showcasing classic Egyptian glassmaking techniques.

Story

Egyptian artisans have crafted glass vessels for pharaohs and queens since 1500 BCE. This modern treasure carries on that exact legacy, using mouth-blowing techniques passed down through hundreds of generations in Cairo's historic quarters.

Maker / Origin

While the specific workshop is anonymous, this piece was crafted by a skilled 'glassblower' or 'glassmaker' in Egypt, likely in the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar district of Cairo. These artisans are famous for keeping ancient Roman and Islamic glassworking traditions alive, specializing in delicate, thin-walled perfume containers.

Condition & Value

The bottle appears to be in good vintage condition with no visible chips or cracks to the delicate stopper or base. There is minor, expected wear and light rubbing to the gilded gold bands on the body, which is typical for handled decorative glass of this age. Excellent preservation of the original paper label on the underside.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.