Antique early 20th century green ribbed poison bottle with original stopper/lid, displayed with other bottles, illustration only, for sale separately. This very decorative and collectible bottle would have once held poison of some description ( some remnants may remain. Not to be used. Keep out of reach, display piece only).
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Size: 18 cm tall 8 cm wide 3 cm depth
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Ribbed poison bottles, popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, were designed with distinctive features to prevent accidental poisoning, especially in dimly lit environments. These bottles often featured raised ribs, embossing (like the word "Poison"), and specific shapes (like hexagonal or coffin-shaped) to be easily identified by touch. Cobalt blue and emerald green were common colors used to further differentiate poison bottles from regular medicine bottles.
Historical Context:
Accidental Poisonings: Before regulations, poisonous substances like arsenic were readily available and often sold in ordinary containers, leading to numerous accidental poisonings, particularly when people couldn't see well.
Early Regulations: The Arsenic Act of 1851 in the UK and similar regulations in the US required poison sales to be recorded and restricted to adults.
Safety Features: To further reduce accidental poisonings, manufacturers developed bottles with unique tactile and visual features.
Key Features of Poison Bottles:
Ribbed Surfaces: Raised ribs or ridges were a common way to make the bottle easily identifiable by touch.
Embossed Lettering: The word "Poison" or "Not to be taken" was often embossed on the bottle.
Distinctive Shapes: Some bottles were designed with unique shapes like hexagonal, coffin, or skull shapes to further differentiate them.
Colored Glass: Cobalt blue and emerald green were popular colors used for poison bottles.
Evolution of Poison Bottles:
Early Designs: Early poison bottles focused on tactile and visual cues like ribs, embossing, and colors.
Later Designs: As literacy rates increased and safety regulations were implemented, the focus shifted to more subtle safety features like child-resistant closures.
Modern Use: While these early poison bottles are no longer in common use for containing poisons, they are highly sought after by collectors due to their unique designs and historical significance.