65/124

A very dark green glass wine bottle dating from circa 1720–1730. This type of bottle is known as a ‘mallet’ bottle and has straight sides; it replaced the ‘onion’ bottle in the late seventeenth century. It was found in well in North Oakley, Hampshire, and is part of the Saint Mary Bourne Collection, from the village of Saint Mary Bourne in Hampshire.

1 wine bottle: glass; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – ‘Standard museum name: Bottle, wine // Accession number: 65/124 // Classification: DOMESTIC Storing drink // … // Recorder: DJE // Date: 14.3.80 // Description: Wine bottle of generally squat appearance. The sides are straight, but taper in from the base to the shoulder. The neck has a string rim set immediately below the opening. The base has a ‘kickup’ with a pontil scar. The bottle is freeblown in ‘black’ glass (ie dense green which appears black unless held up to the light) // Dimensions: dia. of base 12 cms // height 16.5 cms // Associated information: This bottle was found in a well at North Oakley, Hants. // This is the earliest straight sided, or ‘mallet’ shaped bottle which replace the ‘onion’ shaped bottles of late C.17 and early C.18. Straight sided bottles could be stored on their sides (see 66/8/1). This example probably dates from c.1720–1730. // References: Roy Morgan, ‘Sealed Bottles’ pp.24–30’, MERL miscellaneous note – ‘The St. Mary Bourne Collection // 65/124. Bottle found in well at North Oakley presented by Miss Hayter'

1720 - 1730