Blue Crackled Pontil

[JDMac270]

Newbie to the site so I thought I would start with this one. I have had this blue bottle that i picked up many years ago at a yard sale. Purchased just like it looks now. Cracks all through it except for shoulder up. Even with all the cracks, it still feels smooth on the outside. Any thoughts on what might have caused this and what this bottle may have been used for? Thank you in advance for any input at all!

 

[hemihampton]

Looks like a newer Reproduction Bottle?

 

[JDMac270]

I'm sure that is definitely a possibility. I just don't know that much about it and what would determine if that were the case.

 

[gdog68]

I think the cracks in the bottle are made by the glass blower for design purposes, I could be wrong. if you look up cracked glass vase on google you will see other vases with cracked glass as part of the art glass design.

 

[JDMac270]

Ah yes gdog. Good catch. Specifically made with cracks. Looks like mid 1950s/60s. Thank you!

 

[gdog68]

no problem

 

[UnderMiner]

A good way to tell historic and art/reproduction pontil bottles apart is by their base ware. 150+ yo pontil bottles will have been used or moved around so much that they have many scratches on their base. Typically the older/more utilitarian the bottle the more scratches will be on the base.

Art and reproduction bottles in contrast often have no or very little base ware as they are used for decorative purposes and moved very little, some may even have felt pads on the bottom to protect them from base ware.

 

[JDMac270]

Very interesting. Thank you so much. I am very interested in learning about the pontil era. I am including some photos of another bottle i have with a pontil mark. Can you please help me date this one? It's small. 5.5" tall. Light aqua in color. Any insight I can get is much appreciated. I just don't know too much about this topic so I am gathering as much info as I can.

 

[gdog68]

I believe this bottle is mid to earlier 1800s? Any other thoughts

 

[JDMac270]

If it will help, other than the top, the glass is very thin. No markings. Thank you.