My new apothecaries

[bostaurus]

Drove 2 1/2 hours one way to an antiques market yesterday. I have been meaning to go for 5 years but this was my first chance. Lots of furniture and junk but not many bottles. It was in Belgium close to the Netherlands and hoped for some old case gin bottles. There were quite a lot of apothecary bottles but mostly the common stuff. I did find a couple pontiled ones.
The little one is 3 1/2 inches tall and reads : Tr. Castorei Siberini. It means Tincture of Siberian Castor. It was made from the glands of Siberian Beavers. One reference says it was used to treat hysterical conditions. The taste is said to be nauseating so it was sometimes put in capsules. I imagine if I was hysterical I would get over it fast when threatened with this treatment. I usually don't like to leave the contents in a bottle but in this case I don't think I will try to unstick the stopper.
The other is Zinc Oxide. It has many very tiny seed bubbles and has a rolled lip. I have not seen that much. There was still alot of residue on the walls of the bottle. I cleaned it out with rock salt and vinegar. It worked great.
They are both mint expect the labels and wear on the bottoms.

 

[bostaurus]

There was a place that sold salvaged gates, fence, lawn ornaments, etc. This is a bottle tree they had. All the bottles were for sale but the oldest ones were about 1920's.

 

[GuntherHess]

bottle tree

I have planted quite a few bottles and havent been able to get anything to grow.

 

[bostaurus]

Maybe you need to move to Texas. A garden center I used to frequent had a dead tree. Instead of digging it up they put a colorful bottle over each branch and twig end that was strong enough to hold a bottle. Not good for garden centers to have dead plants..this way it was a "garden sculpture".

 

[bostaurus]

I just noticed the Ginger Ale sign in the back ground. That would be fun to have...if it is cheap. Maybe I will get up there again.