The 17th century survives in miniatured

Among the very first sales of the New Year was that conducted by advertising and bottle specialists BBR of Elsecar, South Yorkshire on January 4. The annual auction is held alongside the winter fair organised in aid of the Coddswallop Bottle Museum, a collection currently housed at the Elsecar Heritage Center.

Among the highlights was this miniature shaft and globe bottle in dark olive green glass, a 3 3/4 inch (9.5cm) vessel probably used for pharmaceutical purposes c.1660-70. Discovered undamaged on the banks of the Thames in London within the last decade, it has acquired a vibrant coloured patination and iridescence. Particularly unusual for its diminutive proportions.

It sold above estimate at £3300. The buyer was the same Midlands collector who had purchased the recently dug Charles II handled shaft and globe or decanter bottle that had sold for £21,000 at BBR's sale in July - a record for 'black' glass.

[Article taken from Antiques Trade Gazette 24th January 2009 Issue 1874]


BBR