I found this unusual bottle in an old cellar

[idig]

While cleaning out an old cellar, I found this unusual old bottle. It cleaned up real nice but there is stuff on the bottom that won't come off. Should I scrub it with an SOS pad? I was looking on the web and I saw an article about old bottles and think this may be a type of mark from early glass making. My friend told me it was a demmijohn, whats that? I NEED HELP! What is it? Thanks for any help.

[john glassman]

Nice bottle sorry i cant help you out with info !!!!!!!!!!!

[TreasureTales]

Yes, I think you found a demijohn bottle. I wouldn't remove the white material from the bottom just yet, learn more about your bottle before you do so. Appears to be handblown, but not sure without some closeups. Is there a somewhat round and rough spot on the bottom?

www.Antique-Bottles.net might be a good site for you to learn more about your find. Click on "RESOURCES" near the top of the page. Nice find. Good luck with the research.

[undertaker]

I agree with TreasureTales. It appears to be a very old demijohn. That residue on the bottom may be a iron or graffite pontil. I wouldnt remove it because it could really hurt the value of the bottle big time. Very nice find, I think you got yourself a winner.

[diggummup]

Here's the link for cleaning bottles-http://www.antiquebottles.com/cleaning.html.How large is this bottle?

[Skrimpy]

I agree with TreasureTales. It appears to be a very old demijohn. That residue on the bottom may be a iron or graffite pontil. I wouldnt remove it because it could really hurt the value of the bottle big time. Very nice find, I think you got yourself a winner.

I agree. The crudeness with which that top was applied tells me that it is quite a few years older than 1900 at least. Also, if that is actually a pontil on the bottom you can be pretty sure its older than 1870-1880. DONT CLEAN THAT POWDER OFF! If it is a pontil it will take the value away from the bottle if you do. Go post it on www.bottledigger.net or the "What is it?" forum here. If you post it here SWR and PBK will no doubt let you know exactly what it is and if that is graphite from an iron pontil on your bottle. If you post it on bottledigger.net, Bottleworks will know what it is.

[diggummup]

Looks like paint on the bottom to me.

[TreasureTales]

Could be glue, for holding wicker onto the bottom. (Some demijohn bottles had wicker wrapped around them.) Hard to be sure until/unless we hear more from idig.

[idig]

thanks for your help. I talked to bottleworks on the other forum. he gave me some ideas about what it is and the age. He said it was probably a graphite pontil but it looks like it could be something else because it flakes off. He said it may be because it was buries for so long. Thanks again.

[jimb]

That is a beautiful bottle. As for it being a demijohn, that depends on how large the bottle is. Demijohns are quite large and usually round.

[ink-a-alot]

That is a beautiful bottle. As for it being a demijohn, that depends on how large the bottle is. Demijohns are quite large and usually round.

Hey man thats worth some money its old..

[mistergee]

love the offset blob top on that one....definitely at least mid 1800's

[jrsherman]

Very nice bottle, and very nice color. I'd be looking extra close in that cellar to see if you could find anything else!! Well done!

[crazyjarhead]

nice oldie. love the quality of those old bottles