Italian Gothic Perfume Funnel GARGOYLE Theater Mask

Product Description

In Florence Italy, one family of blacksmiths has spent generations combining their skill with metalwork and their love of Italy. Their work celebrates the regions, the landmarks, and the history of the country they love. With an ode to the Italian opera and Italian Gothic architecture, the silversmiths of Florence have really outdone themselves with this one. The long lines and deep crags of this dark and dramatic gargoyle come to life in .800 silver. For your moments of scented luxury, this Italian gothic perfume funnel is just thing.

Stepping Back in Time

More than a century ago, apprentices to the Coppini smithy would hone their skills by making perfume funnels. Each piece was small, requiring few material resources, but rich in the skills required of a silversmith. They rolled metal for the basin, stretched it for the stem, created molds and cast images to be joined to the basin. In the end, their work was inspected by a master. If it was deemed acceptable, it might be offered to customers. Unacceptable examples went back into the crucible, and the apprentice tried again.

Stepping Forward in Time

The Coppini family is still known to offer the occasional perfume funnel, usually tied to a special event or bespoke request. This Italian perfume funnel is an antique from the first half of the 20th century, likely the 1940s. The theatrical mask is finely detailed by a practiced hand and the wide basin and stem are expertly joined. To the right of the gothic visage, a cast silver handle embellished with a fleur de lis flowered is mounted. The fleur de lis flowered is the symbol of Florence, the city of flowers.

The basin measures 1.25 inches in diameter and the finished piece is 2.25 inches long. It is larger than the antique funnels, but the proportions are the same. The basin of the Italian perfume funnel is a little wider than the English or Mexican perfume funnels. In my experience, the wider basin prevents splashes and spills. There is a single dent in the basin, on the side without embellishment. It does not effect the beauty of the piece and given the rarity of the design, it does not effect the value.