Avon Trojan Horse Decanter (Aftershave/Cologne Bottle)
Other (Decorative Collectible/Grooming Accessory) · Mid-Century Novelty / Art Deco Revival (1960s-1970s) · Avon Products, Inc.
Type
Other (Decorative Collectible/Grooming Accessory)
Style Period
Mid-Century Novelty / Art Deco Revival (1960s-1970s)
Material
Molded amber glass base with a chrome-plated plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) screw-top cap.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1975.
Dimensions
Height: 6-7 inches; Width: 2.5 inches; Depth: 2 inches. Roughly the size of a standard kitchen spice jar.
Origin
United States; part of the prolific line of figurals produced for the men's grooming market.
Designer/Maker
Avon Products, Inc.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD. Value is nominal due to high production volume; boxes and full contents slightly increase collector interest.
Description
Originally sold as part of Avon's men's fragrance line, this 'Trojan Horse' decanter features a stylized knight chess piece or warhorse head. The amber glass base held popular scents like 'Wild Country' or 'Tai Winds'. Its design leans into the 1970s penchant for faux-classical and chess-themed decor, blending functional packaging with a display-worthy silhouette for a man's dresser or bathroom vanity.
Key Features
Distinctive horse-head mane pattern; amber glass 'pedestal' base; screw-off head cap; 'AVON' usually embossed on the bottom of the glass.
Color & Finish
Translucent amber/brown glass base with a high-shine mirrored silver chrome finish on the horse head cap.
Construction Method
Machine-made; mass-produced industrial glass molding and injection-molded plastic vacuum-metalized plating.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Industrial assembly; the cap is a two-piece plastic mold joined at a vertical seam, typical of mass-market cosmetic packaging.
Wood Grain & Species
None; glass and plastic construction.
Surface Treatment
Smooth fire-polished glass; electroplated chrome finish on the topper to simulate metal.
Upholstery Details
None; non-upholstered decorative object.
Hardware & Fittings
Internal threaded plastic screw neck under the cap to secure the liquid contents.
Origin & Provenance
United States; part of the prolific line of figurals produced for the men's grooming market.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible pitting and 'chrome loss' on the plastic head due to oxidation or contact with the alcohol-based cologne. Glass is intact with no visible chips.
Interesting Facts
Avon decanters became one of the biggest collecting crazes in the U.S. during the 1970s, with over 300 different shapes ranging from cars to historical figures.
Cultural Significance
Represents the peak of American direct-sales marketing and the 20th-century trend of 'figural' packaging where the container was intended to be as valuable as the product.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with the Avon 'Silver Knight' or the 'Horse Head' pipe decanter. Can be distinguished by the specific amber pedestal base versus a white or clear base.
Care & Maintenance
Clean glass with mild soap; do not use harsh abrasives on the silver head as the thin chrome plating will flake off easily. Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further finish degradation.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD. Value is nominal due to high production volume; boxes and full contents slightly increase collector interest.
Sustainability Notes
Represents a 'keep-forever' philosophy in packaging meant to reduce immediate waste, though the mixed-material construction (plastic/glass) makes modern recycling difficult.