Hi guys,im not shure but i think it held water or mineral spirits but however i do know that this piece is verry old dating back to around 1790 or early 1800. thank you for your'e reply's C.B.
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VeiwItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&veiwitem=&item140044331689&rd=1&rd=1 this is one of a few bottles i have listed on ebay.