Topic: Small 19th Century chunky bottle / carafe

[SNJ]

Would someone please suggest a function for this small bottle? I doubt that it's an early prototype for Shippam's crab paste(!) so could it be a particularly small carafe or a bottle to hold a single measure of water to mix with a spirit? It's a chunky piece that fits comfortably in one hand, with a faceted neck and ground pontil, standing 9.5cm tall. It also has an interesting yellow tinge.

[Ekimp]

Hi, how well does it pour? With that thick curved rim I imagine it might dribble everywhere if used as a carafe?

Maybe the crab paste idea is close, or some sort of preserve with a cloth cover tied on with string around the rim. I did think it looks a bit like a cupping cup but maybe too chunky for that

I tend to think clear glass with a yellow tint is from early 20th century - there is a topic here that might be of interest: https://www.glassmessages.com/index.php?topic=23733.0

[Paul S.]

In line with your thoughts, it's worth considering this to be an example of a 'spirit measure'  -  we've had these on the Board previously.        Usually of a mini-carafe shape in outline - and often with faceted necks and fairly wide flanged mouths (apparently without pouring lips) - this is about the right height too.
If this is a measure, there should be some indication externally on the neck in the form of a cut notch or tiny mitre, to indicate the level of correct capacity  -  not always easy to see unfortunately.
As to the yellow tinge, perhaps they forgot the manganese that day

[flying free]

In line with Paul's thoughts, I'd found this to compare the kind of shape:

https://www.19cglass.co.uk/product/victorian-richardsons-patent-1-2-gill-measure/

[Paul S.]

and this .................................  https://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,63440.msg357175.html#msg357175

[Ekimp]

I don’t think it’s a measure because of that rim, it looks like an applied ring. Why would they put that there and not just have a flared mouth that would probably pour much better?

[bat20]

I’ve got a stoneware ink pot exactly 9.5 cm ??

[SNJ]

Many thanks for the input, everyone. I poured some water from the bottle and while it wasn't a particularly clean stream, it didn't dribble down the side; it still wouldn't suggest use as a carafe. I think the one thing that might discount it as a measure is the lack of capacity indication; I can't see a mark anywhere. It might well be an ink bottle but the neck interior is both wide and curved so it would need quite a large cork, perhaps disproportionate to the bottle's size. Additionally, the cut panels might suggest that it was intended as something 'better' than a simple utilitarian item. As for the yellow tinge being a possible indicator of age, I don't have the knowledge to say one way or the other but the heavy scuffing and scratches to the underside would seem consistent with a reasonable age. I think I'll just stick it in a corner of the dresser shelf as a mystery object!

[bat20]

Just out of interest how wide is the opening ?Here’s a modern glass ink pot for calligraphy.1” stopper

https://arabiccalligraphysupplies.com/accessories-archive/tall-inkwell-with-cork

[SNJ]

The internal diameter is 3cm so maybe an ink bottle after all. Well done for finding such an obscure website, by the way!