Antique Scent Tear Catcher Mourning 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Chicago

A Beautiful Rare Antique Victorian Glass Lachrymatory Bottle / Tear Catcher Mourning.

Lachrymatory bottles or “Tear Catchers” like this one were sold as souvenirs at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where Benguiat’s collection was on display. Hadji Benguiat’s name is painted on the side, suggesting that he may have been promoting his antiques business at the fair. But what’s very sweet about this one is that there is a spelling mistake. It says ‘Word’ instead of ‘World’.

The story goes that during the 19th century, supposedly, lachrymatory bottles or “Tear Catchers” were used as a measure of grieving time. People cried into them, catching their tears, and once the tears in them had evaporated, the mourning period was supposedly over.

Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Structurally sound. Still retains its strong painted text. It doesn’t have its stopper.

Measures 17.5cm x 1.4cm

Weighs 82.39 grams.