Two handle demijohn

[web44ca]

I have been collecting & selling demis for over thirty years ... never have seen a 20th cent. two handle demi made in the same early bottle making practices as this one ... height 19" - circumference 46" - weight 20lbs.
glass thickness at the finish is half an inch.
first produced in a 2piece hinge mold ... sheared lip ... pontil rod attached to apply the sloping collar & handles.

My quess is a vintage 1940's-50s Mexican or Mediterranean bottle.

Am interested in any comments ... but in particular ... if you have seen a similiar one & can help in id'ing its origin.

 

[web44ca]

Here is the two handle demi bottom ... looks old from this pic.

 

[GuntherHess]

do you think those handles would survive if you filled it water and tried to lift it with them?
2 handles seems a bit redundant. Maybe its from Greece and they were trying to mirror the ancient amphora tradition?
Never saw one like it. I dosent seem Mexican to me. More European looking.
I think you are correct in assuming its not exceedingly old.

Where are you from?

 

[RED Matthews]

Hello Ron Webb; Well that is an interesting glass study. I went to your home page and sent you a PM. Thanks. RED Matthews

 

[web44ca]

Appreciate your comments ... I live in Nova Scotia, Canada ... just picked this demi up yesterday Sunday ... there was some verbal
provenience from the dealer ... seeing you live in Maryland ... he stated he was given the bottle to
auction app. 15 years ago from a long time family of bottle collectors who were in Maryland ... a
doctor I believe ... small world

 

[RED Matthews]

Ok Mr Webb; I think your post was to guntherhess. I live in FL and NY, Thanks for the picture of the neck and handle assembly. It is a nice piece of glass work, but the skills shown either mean it is really old - or Art Glass. It is still a tough call. RED Matthews

 

[rockbot]

ORIGINAL: web44ca

Here is the two handle demi bottom ... looks old from this pic.

Something about the base doesn't look old to me. No wear? I don't know just doesn't look right.

Nice bottle though.

 

[web44ca]

Excellent point Rockbot ... there is very limited high point wear in one location ... not trying to justify this bottle is pre1900 ... but many large antique utilitarian bottles ie. demijohns ... were protected from damage with woven rattan or wicker ... at least half of the demis that I have collected were without bottom wear.