Age?

[metaldetecta]

I found this in a dump that was recently destroyed by a bulldozer. I am assuming this is from the early 1900s or late 1800s. Is my estimate correct? Does anybody know what this was used for? This is not a recent find. Thanks!

 

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[Goldenplug]

I think they used stoneware bottles like that from around 1850-1920. Give or take a few years. I'm not an expert. I can tell you it looks like salt glazed stoneware. During the kiln firing process they would throw salt in and it would vaporize and glaze the pottery! They stopped using it when refrigeration became widely available. Pre refrigeration it was popular because unlike glass your liquid would stay colder in the stoneware. It wasn't the most sanitary of times...hope that helps. I know it's a bit vague but that's my best shot.

 

[Harry Pristis]

Slip glaze, rather than salt glaze, I'd say. Without a label of some sort, it's difficult to say what the bottle was used for. Ink bottle might be my guess. You might try flushing the bottle with a solvent like alcohol or acetone to see if you can detect carbon traces.

 

[Goldenplug]

I think you could be right Harry. What makes you think it's a slip glaze as opposed to a salt glaze? Would it not have the same result? A glaze? Just curious not doubting.

 

[Harry Pristis]

As I understand it, the potter would through a handful of salt into the heated kiln, vaporizing the salt. The salt vapor settled on the greenware unevenly, producing irregularities in the glaze.

Conversely, a green piece was simply dipped in slip (thinned clay) to produce a very regular surface, often in colors other than the clay of the vessel. "Bristolware" is a vivid example:

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[Goldenplug]

Interesting. It seams like throwing salt into the kiln would be easier!

 

[metaldetecta]

Thanks Goldenplug, and Harry! You both helped out a ton. The dump I dug at was mostly 1940s to 1970s. On occasion I found something a bit older.

 

[epackage]

Interesting. It seams like throwing salt into the kiln would be easier!

Adding salt is an art, it has to be the correct amount at the correct time to achieve the desired result...

 

[MuckyBottles]

Looks like a stone ink (dry)

 

[metaldetecta]

Thanks epackage and MuckyBottles.