Small bottle

1750-1825

Measurements

5-1/2 in x 3-7/8 in x 3-1/4 in

Materials

Green non-lead "common" glass

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

2024.34

Comments

The small, free-blown bottle is popularly called a "chestnut bottle" in reference to its shape.  When originally blown, it was spherical but was patted into its present ovoid shape, which is slightly uneven.  The neck has an applied lip at the opening.  This extra glass both strengthened the bottle at this location and provided a place to tie on a covering to protect the contents.  The underside of the bottle has been pushed upward (sometimes called a 'kidk-up" base) where a pontil was once attached to aid in shaping the bottle.

The green-colored glass is the natural color of the metal, as glassblowers called it.  Materials had to be added to the batch to clarify the glass.  Glass left as is, as here, was called "common glass."