Our Scent Bottle Collection

Our scent bottle collection consists of over 2,700 scent bottles, all collected by Mrs. Idonea French, who dedicated her life to her passion of collecting scent bottles. Thanks to her passion, The Harris now cares for the largest collection of scent bottles in the UK!

Most of the bottles are from the Victorian period. During this time, there was a real obsession with novelties and trinkets, like scent bottles. We also have some very elaborate examples made from glass, ceramics, metal and even shells. Some of the bottles glow in the dark, whilst others have hidden functions such as secret tiny telescopes for theatre goers! Others feature complex techniques like cameo glass and some are simply for fun, decorated with animals, flowers, dancers and more.

Let’s take a look at some of the scent bottles in our collection…

We love this rectangular pointed floral decoration with gold squiggle on opaque blue glass. 

This red glass vinaigrette with a decorated metal neck is certainly impressive to look at.

How adorable is this white scent bottle decorated with an owl?

Another stunning scent bottle is this hour glass shaped blue cut glass cased in white.

If you are anything like us, you’ll love this circular green opaline glass scent bottle. 

We could not resist sharing this light blue scent bottle.

If you are a fan of stripes, you’ll be sure to love this green striped scent bottle.

To round off this blog, let’s finish off with a lovely purple coloured glass scent bottle.

Harris Your Place

Harris Your Place is a £16 million project set to restore and reimagine the Harris for 21st-century audiences as a cultural learning space. The aim of this project is to protect the building and the architecture for future generations whilst enhancing accessibility options and positioning the Harris as a community hub for Preston and Lancashire.

The capital project is more than simply preserving this much-loved building; Harris wants to ensure that it remains a vibrant heart of the community. A place where people want to spend their time.