Hovedvandsæg – Heart-shaped silver vinaigrette

Heart-shaped vinaigrette surmounted by a crown. On the front are a couple of swans, symbol of fidelity. On the back a fish, usually indicating the main production in Jutland. Hinged cap and inner grid. It was with this type of spice box that a young man indicated his intentions, by presenting a ‘hovedvandsæg’ to the young lady of his choice. Literally meaning ‘head-water egg’, was an ‘egg’ to contain ‘water’ to revive the senses. They were of various forms from about 1725, and the heart-shaped ones were the earliest versions (‘luktevannshus’ in Norway).