A small receptacle to Contain scented vinegar formerly used by ladies to ward off faintness.The usual type was globular or cuff-shaped, made of gold, silver or porcelain, with a metal grille (of gold,silver or pinchbeck) under the stopper or hinged lid to hold a sponge saturated with thescented substance. Often they had an attached chain so as to be suspended from a bracelet, chatelaine or finger ring (such as one worn by Queen Victoria).Some examples have a locket at the bottom, and rare examples are in the form of a small powder horn (sometimes called a 'bugle') with a built-in whistle.Vinaigrettes were made in France, Switzerland, and England.