Antique early 20th or late 19th century poison bottles in cobalt blue - amazing !!
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Sizes: Large bottle 17 cm tall 6 cm wide 4 cm depth.
Small bottle 10 cm tall 4 cm wide hexagon shape.
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Some age related wear. They would look fantastic as a collection (see pictures illustration only).
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Blue poison bottles, often featuring distinctive ridged surfaces or unique shapes, became a safety measure in the Victorian era to prevent accidental poisoning. These bottles, primarily made of cobalt blue or green glass, were designed to be identifiable by touch in the dark, when many homes relied on candlelight for nighttime medicine retrieval. The practice of using distinct shapes and colors to identify poison bottles evolved from the Middle Ages, when some European countries mandated the marking of containers with "Poison".
Distinctive Shapes and Surfaces:
Poison bottles were often designed with hexagonal shapes, ridges, or embossed letters like "Poison" to make them easily distinguishable by touch, especially in the dim light of candlelight.
Color Coding:
Cobalt blue and green glass were frequently used to signify poisonous substances, distinguishing them from other medicines.
Victorian Era Innovation:
The need for these bottles emerged during the Victorian era, as the use of dangerous substances like carbolic acid in medicine was prevalent.
Patent History:
Some of the earliest examples of poison bottles were patented in Britain around the 1860s, with variations appearing in the US as well. Evolution of Design:
While blue was originally used, some historians note a later shift to green, and other colors like amber and yellow were used for different types of substances.
Early Examples:
The first American patent for a poison bottle was obtained in 1881, followed by the Whitehall Tatum Bottle Company producing a cobalt blue glass bottle with a quilted surface in 1882.
Why Blue and Ridged Surfaces?
Distinctive Appearance:
The bright blue color and textured surfaces made these bottles easily recognizable, even in the dark, which was crucial before widespread electricity. Distinctive Appearance:
The bright blue color and textured surfaces made these bottles easily recognizable, even in the dark, which was crucial before widespread electricity.
Prevention of Misidentification:
The unique shapes and textures helped prevent accidental misidentification of dangerous substances with other medicines.
Safety in the Dark:
Before the advent of modern lighting, candles were the primary source of light, and people often relied on touch to identify items, including medicines, according to Salisbury Healthcare History.
Aesthetic Considerations:
Beyond safety, some poison bottles also incorporated decorative elements, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of the era.