Antique Green Glass Coffin-Shaped “Not To Be Taken” Poison Bottle with Stopper

Rare with original stopper!

21 cm tall

6 cm wide

4 cm depth

Antique Green Glass Coffin-Shaped “Not To Be Taken” Poison Bottle with Stopper

A striking antique green glass poison bottle in the desirable coffin-shaped form, boldly embossed “NOT TO BE TAKEN” down the front panel and finished with raised textured warning panels to the sides.

This style of bottle dates most likely to the late Victorian or early 20th century, when chemists and manufacturers used distinctive shapes, strong colours and tactile surfaces to help prevent dangerous substances being mistaken for ordinary medicines or household bottles. The coffin-shaped body was not only practical but also wonderfully symbolic — a blunt visual warning of the contents once held inside.

The bottle is made in deep emerald green glass with chamfered coffin-like edges, raised lettering and a hobnail/textured surface designed to be recognisable by touch. It retains a green glass stopper, which sits well in the neck, though as with many antique bottles it should be regarded as decorative rather than guaranteed original or airtight.

A fantastic display piece for an apothecary collection, poison bottle collection, gothic interior, curiosity cabinet or social history display. It has exactly the right mix of beauty and menace — a little object with a very serious message.

Condition is good antique condition with age-related surface wear, small marks and manufacturing irregularities typical of old pressed glass. Sold empty and for decorative/collecting purposes only.

More desirable than a plain example because the coffin shape, green glass, raised warning texture and stopper all add appeal.