Onion Bottle
01 January 2010 16:50
Up until the 17th century bottles would have been made of pottery or leather, but by the middle of the century a 'new' black/dark green glass wine bottle came into general use. Early glass bottles were squat, broad and rounded sometimes referred to as "onion bottles".
Glass onions were large hand-blown glass bottles used aboard sailing ships to hold wine or brandy. For increased stability on rough seas, the bottles were fashioned with a wide-bottom shape to prevent toppling, thus making the bottles look somewhat onion-shaped.
According to the Ledbury Reporter (on-line Tuesday 27 January, 1.11 pm ) "Chris Atkinson, Herefordshire Council's community archaeologist, said some of the bottles are dated 1709 and bear the owner's name, John Patenall.
"We've found out that he was the owner of the Feathers," he said. "There was also a place called the Booth Hall and he owned that as well."
He said two medieval rubbish pits had also been uncovered, plus a medieval wall. Pottery has been found dating from the 14th century, including cooking ware and table ware.”