Rare and Lovely 19th Century Victorian Transferware Lip Salve Pot

The most popular commodity sold in these transferware pots was toothpaste, making this lip salve pot a rare piece.
Beauty standards in 18th century and 19th century England, meant that primarily for the upper classes, lips would have been sparingly enhanced.
Lip salve began appearing in the wider market during the 19th century, and was marketed in these beautiful little pots beginning in the 1880s, when nearly every chemist or pharmacist would formulate his own recipe and print their own pots for advertising. Beeswax and floral oils was a highly popular formulation and indeed similar preparations remain popular today. 

The pot lid was made in London England and is transfer printed in black. 

This lid was found together with its original base, a rarity considering how these were often discarded. Its pattern is clearly inspired by Aesthetic Movement motifs and remains quite legible despite some fade to glaze.

Price marked at AUD$400.

Measurements: Lid 4cm dia. by 1.2cm height, 2.2 cm total height.
These pots are often chipped from use and/or found buried in mud. This is one of the better examples we have found, with some wear to the lid as pictured, including small fleabites. Some wear to glaze and to base of lid as well.