Vinaigrette
from the Antique Jewelry University
In present day society we have elevated personal hygiene to some of the most important factors in judging our fellows. Prior to the introduction of soaps, and the accessibility to them, people needed other means to mask personal smells. A vinaigrette is a miniature container holding a small sponge saturated with a perfume or, in its original use, vinegar. They were suspended from a chatelaine, bracelet or finger ring and intended to be held under the nose to mask unpleasent odors or, in the case of vinegar, to prevent the wearer from fainting.