A Guide to Vintage & Antique Vanity Jars
Today I want to introduce you to a popular collectible: ladies vanity jars, sometimes referred to as dresser, powder, or trinket jars.
Some version of this type of receptacle for makeup, jewelry, and whatnots has been with us since our ancestors began molding clay into bowls, but the ones I have to share with you today all date to the twentieth century, some made of china, others of crystal or glass, and still others of metal.
You’ll see versions decorated with fabric, embroidery, enamel, and paint. Each of the beauties in this post belongs to me; this is my personal collection. They cost anywhere from fifty cents to four dollars, with most costing one to two dollars. I would put a value of ten to sixty dollars on each.
Extremely popular during the Victorian period, one would find them on a lady’s dressing table, perhaps as part of a set, matching her mirror, brush, comb, and tray.
They are widely collected for their beauty, as well as their practicality since they can be used to hold all kinds of “stuff.” I have them sitting on my dresser holding jewelry, and since I wear jewelry every day, I notice and appreciate them daily.
Antique Guilloché Vanity Jars
I purchased this enameled beauty in England at a car boot sale when we lived there from 2009-2011. I found as a rule that vanity jars cost much less in England than they do here in the States.
The intricate, interwoven design imprinted on the brass lid you see here is referred to as “guilloché,” which is covered with pink enamel. One of my favorites, I would value it at $40-60.00.
Another pretty jar, this example also bears a guilloché lid, but it is imprinted on paper and covered with a piece of clear plastic to protect it. The metal rim appears to be nothing more than pot metal.
Purchased here at home, I would value it at about $15.00.
This blue, etched glass jar, purchased in England, also has a guilloché style lid…
…in a shell design. I’d value it at about $30.00.
Another English jar, also with a guilloché decorated lid, this one has some enamel loss, but is nonetheless a beautiful piece.
It’s also one of my favorites and I would value it at about $30.00 (more if in better condition).
Antique Glass & Metal Vanity Jars
Yet another car boot sale find, this jar has a beautifully embroidered lid with a decorative brass rim. I love the chunky base.
I put a value of about $35-40.00 on this one.
This brass-lidded jar is embossed “Made in England” on the bottom, and it has a unique tapestry insert on the lid.
I bought it, like the others, at a car boot sale; I’d value it at $20.00.
This pretty little jar, also from England, has a metal lid to which I believe some gold leaf has been applied. I wish I knew the name of the glass pattern. Any ideas?
.It’s seen better days, but I still treasure it. I’d value it at about $15.00
Oblong dresser containers are less common than round ones, and this example, bearing the same glass pattern as the jar above, came home with me from England (like many of the others).
The brass repoussé (or embossed) lid is lovely enough to almost make me forget that the glass base has a small chip 🙁 I’d value it at about $15.00 with the chip.
I have an absolutely amazing dumpster story that I promise to relate someday, and that’s where I discovered this little beauty with a repoussé “pot metal” (mix of various metals) and glass, Victorian era piece.
It was the first in my vanity jar collection; I would price it at about $15-20.00.
Vintage Metal Vanity Jar
Another find from our time in England, this jar with its brushed metal surface dates to about the 1970’s.
With its Redoute-style botanical decoration, I would price it at $10-12.00.
Antique Glass Vanity Jar
I bought this pretty glass jar with the gilded lid here in the States.
The acorn pattern confirms that it dates to the Victorian era (late 1800’s). I would value it at about $12-15.00.
This clear, hobnailed jar, also an American buy, seems newer to me, but I can’t be sure.
It bears a modern sort of hobnail pattern; I’d value it at about $10-15.00.
Vintage & Antique China Vanity Jars
Have you ever come across a vanity jar like this one, with a hole in the top and wondered, “What the heck?!”
A woman would have kept one on her vanity and tucked in strands of hair collected from her brush or comb. The hair would have then been used to stuff a pin cushion or a hair “ratt,” a tiny pillow used to give height to her hair. Interesting, right?
Mine, with its pretty tulips, is marked “Richmond Bavaria” on the bottom and dates to the mid-1800’s.
After 1871 you would find Bavaria, Germany. I would value this jar, which I purchased in the States, at about $10-12.00.
The labove dresser jar, with it’s hand painted flowers and 22 karat gold gilding, bears no mark. My feeling is that it is Japanese, but I could be wrong (I was wrong once, a long time ago, lol).
Also purchased in the States, I would value it at $12.00 or so.
Antique Celluloid Vanity Jars
Celluloid is an early plastic invented in the late 1860’s and designed to replace ivory, which had become quite expensive.
Manufacturers used the new plastic material to make all sorts of home goods, including vanity containers like the round one you see above. Value: $8-10
This lovely container has an etched glass bottom and a decorated celluloid lid. Value: $12-15
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to examine my vintage vanity jar collection–if you made it this far, you’re a true vintage lover!
Since I bought most of my collection in England, I view it as a sort of souvenir of our time in that beautiful country. I don’t have another inch of space on my dresser, so I suspect that I have closed the door on future purchases.
What do you collect? Are you still adding pieces? Where to you buy them? I’d love to here more about what vintage and antiques make your heart sing.
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Bye for now,
Other collections of mine:
Cocktail Rings
Ironstone
Art
I love your collection of vanity jars. They are all lovely but my favorite is the one with the cross stitch top. Do you display them together?
This is a gorgeous collection. The last one is especially decorative, but I love them all! I have a collection of tiny perfume bottles. I haven’t added to it too much. I can’t remember how many I have, because they are packed up until we paint the guest room. It’s probably next on the list (after the living room this coming weekend), because it is a small room. I really hate this shuffling stuff out of the room that will get painted into another room. When the living room gets done, I will get to decorate. And, I have tons of stuff to go through. I’m getting excited. Thank you for sharing your dresser jars!
What a gorgeous collection! Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful! I really enjoyed all your photos. I have one glass jar I bought in Paris at a Brocante and it is a special treasure for sure.
Never knew they were called vanity jars. i have only 2 and one has been passed down in the family from my husband’s mothers side, from the John Marshall branch. He was the first Chief Justice of the USA.
You have a lovely collection, Diana!
Each one is prettier than the last one. It is a lovely collection.
I love each one of your jars! I’ve always been partial to ladies’ dresser items. I don’t collect them myself. I buy them to resell, but I do like them a lot. I’ve sold a lot of them over the years. I love that each one of yours each has character…each one different. Can’t believe you found that Victorian one in the dumpster! I’d love to hear that story.
Dear Diana, each jar is a treasure! Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection. I collect ink bottles and Florentine trays. I love to hang the trays on the wall like pictures; often grouped together.
Your collection is absolutely gorgeous! I love the variety you have. I have some treasured ones from my grandmother and others in my shop. They don’t seem to be too popular with buyers 🙁
I have to get off the computer, but when you asked what your readers’ collect, I immediately thought, what DON’T collect? Someone once asked that question on another blog and when I began listing, I realized, Oops, I think I might have a problem. Lovely collection, my fav is the rectangular one.
I know in the chaos that is my home that I have a view jars, myself.
Oh, goodness, need to proof read, it is time to get off the computer.
You have some great vanity pieces, Diana. As part of my purse collection, I have a couple pieces that are guilloche (compact and dance purses). I think your glass pattern in question is some variation of the Windsor pattern. Federal and Indiana glass companies both had their versions, maybe even other companies did too. I think I have a book on depression glass, but it’s been a long time since we’ve had any for resale. As you’ve said before, the demand for it right now is not good; however, when you have a collection such as yours, which piques the interest of women’s accessories/vanities, it opens up a whole new arena of potential buyers. I do like this collection of yours, and especially that guilloche piece!
How beautiful and I look forward to your “dumpster” story! In my family we have a couple of the hair receivers. That is what my great grandmother called hers. When they had collected enough hair they would use it to make small pieces of jewelry. As much as I love old and stories of my ancestors this does not thrill me…Great post!
I love these! I collect all sorts of vintage vanity items. I also find them at rummage sales and sell them on eBay. I have the exact hand painted china one for sale on eBay right now! Also, the one clear glass jar that you asked about is similar to “button panel” or some other button type of glass pattern. Thanks for sharing your beautiful things!
They are awfully hard to resist, aren’t they Dana?!! Thanks for the insight into that hobnail-y, button-y example. We’ll get to the bottom of it eventually 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the post–
Just came across your post about vanity jars as I was trying to research a fair offer price to a brass and glass vanity set being offered on Facebook that’s definitely caught my eye. One is very similar to your oblong one, and the matching other piece to it is oval-shaped. Dimensions and description given: Larger box measures approx 1.5”h x 1.75”d x 3.5”L
Smaller box measure approx 1”h x 1 1/8”d x 3”L Both are in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks. They’re asking $40 Canadian. Will see if I can get for $30, and I’ll cover the shipping costs, of course.
So exquisite with the brass repoussé (or embossed) lids as you call it. One has a scroll design in the brass and the smaller one has a series of cupids on it.
They sound lovely Isabel! Good luck purchasing them 🙂
Hi Diana, I love your jars! I wonder if you have any tips on dating them? A powder or vanity jar was one of the 1st things I started to collect as a teenager and still buy and occasionally sell them. I believe they can be as old as late 1800 and into the 1940. I have seen people selling them as 1960s. I would love to hear from you!
Hi Karen. I find it difficult to date the unsigned glass examples and just sort of guesstimate based on the style. Marked pieces can of course be researched and celluloid examples would date to the 1920’s and 30’s. But it’s tricky, right? They have definitely been made throughout the entire period you mentioned and right up to today. Fortunately newer ones tend to be marked and/or have a distinctly modern look about them. Hope that helps a little bit!
I love your collection and appreciate your efforts to share information about all the different categories. My Grandmother gave me her hair receiver jar and her ratt. I am now in my 70’s and she died when she was 88-hope I get that long and more-not to be greedy cause I reckon I will go when the Good Lord is ready for me.
I still have the hair receiver, but not the ratt-it fell apart. I collect vintage perfume, jewelry(Trifari, and R. DeRosa) and am trying to get some of my grandchildren interested so I can downsize! Anyone want another grandmother? Ha Ha
Blessings on ya girl!
Katie
What a blessing to have your grandmother’s hair receiver, Katie. The items I have from my own grandmother are so precious to me! I’m sure you would find a LOT of takers on your grandmother offer, ha ha. Good luck getting a grandchild interested 🙂
Hi DIANA, Loved your Dresser Jar Collection, the rectangular one might be a Glove Box. But your repoussé “pot metal” (mixed one) reminds me of several caskets, dresser trinket boxes, with brass lids metal bottoms, that I have. One from a cousin, another one an Aunt.
I also have a metal musical powder box my sister-in-law bought me from a jeweler in the 1960’s. He had to search his attic for it. I’ve no idea of value or age, but I love it. It has tarnished setting on my dresser, along with a dozen or so miniature perfume bottles. Now at 87 yrs old, I wonder what will become of them. DH is after me to downsize, and I know he is right. Thank you so much for sharing.
Sounds like you have quite an amazing collection Rochelle! A lot of us are wondering what’s going to become of our precious bits and pieces after we pass on. Perhaps a niece or young neighbor would be interested in inheriting your lovelies?