Georgian silver vinaigrette with hinged grille. Ornamental boxes such as this one were traditionally used for holding smelling salts. Smelling salts are an aromatic preparation that were widely used in the 19th century for reviving fainting women. The active compound was ammonium carbonate. Ammonia gas would be released from the salts and pass through the grille where they were inhaled. This English vinaigrette dates from around 1820.