Antique P. B. Burgoyne Wine Growers Green Glass Bottle – Royal Arms c.1910s–1920

The embossing matches known Burgoyne bottles bearing the Royal Arms, “To H.M. The King / Burgoyne / Wine Growers / 62529”. Bottle-specialist auction records date closely comparable examples mainly to the 1900s–1920s.

Antique P. B. Burgoyne Wine Growers Green Glass Bottle – Royal Arms – c.1910s–1920s

22 cm tall

15 cm wide

8 cm depth

A fabulous early 20th-century Burgoyne Wine Growers bottle in very dark olive-green glass, with a wonderfully distinctive flattened or “chestnut” shaped body.

The front is boldly moulded with the Royal Coat of Arms, flanked by the wording “To H.M. The King”, with BURGOYNE – WINE GROWERS prominently embossed beneath. The design is associated with P. B. Burgoyne & Company and registration number 62529, which is also found on surviving original Burgoyne closures. Archaeological finds have identified Burgoyne bottles bearing the same registration number as early 20th-century wine bottles.

The glass is a particularly attractive feature. In ordinary light it appears almost black, but when illuminated it reveals a rich olive-green colour, with the imperfections and character one expects from early commercial bottle production.

Maker History

P. B. Burgoyne & Co. was founded by Peter Bond Burgoyne, one of the important early promoters of Australian wine in Britain.

Burgoyne began importing and bottling Australian wines in London in the early 1870s, initially acting for the Tintara wine interests of South Australia. The firm operated from 50 Old Broad Street, London, before moving in 1886 to Burgoyne House at 6 Dowgate Hill, with extensive cellars in Cannon Street.

Burgoyne became a particularly energetic advocate for Australian wine at a time when it was still unfamiliar to many British drinkers. The business later owned the Mount Ophir and Mount Athos vineyards at Rutherglen, Victoria, and Burgoyne spent substantial sums promoting Australian wine in Britain. Contemporary advertising from as early as 1886 was already promoting “Burgoyne’s Australian Wines.”

The Royal Arms on this bottle are particularly appealing from a social-history point of view. Royal Warrants allowed approved suppliers to display the Royal Arms in association with their business, making the embossing more than simply decorative advertising.

Date

I would describe this example as:

Early 20th century, probably c.1910s–1920s.

Very similar chestnut-shaped Burgoyne bottles with the Royal Arms, internal-thread closures and registration number 62529 have been catalogued specifically as 1920s examples, while other variants are dated to the 1900s–1910s.

Condition

Good antique condition with surface scratches, scuffs, marks and irregularities to the glass commensurate with age and original commercial use. There is age and wear around the closure and neck. Please study the photographs as these form an important part of the condition description.

Bottle is empty and sold as a decorative/collectable antique bottle only.

Why We Love It

It ticks several boxes at once: antique bottle collecting, Australian wine history, London merchant history, Royal Warrant interest and decorative old glass. The almost-black olive glass and beautifully prominent Royal Arms make it much more interesting on display than an ordinary old wine bottle.