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Offering an exceptional and rare antique bottle from the golden age of sailing: a vibrant green J.J. Melchers Aromatic Schnapps bottle from Schiedam, Holland, dating to the 1870s-1880s.
This bottle is a stunning example of 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring a deep olive green hue and a characteristically crude applied top —a hallmark of early hand-blown glass production. It remains in remarkable condition with no chips, cracks, or damage, a true testament to its survival.
The Provenance: A Story of Adventure
This bottle was part of a small group recovered from the soft sands of a shoreline on an uninhabited island off the coast of Africa. Based on the location, the era-specific manufacturing, and the fact they were all found together, the leading theory is that they were cargo from a late 19th-century shipwreck, lost for over 130 years before being uncovered by the elements. This incredible backstory adds a layer of historical intrigue that is rarely available to collectors.
Specifications:
* Age: c. 1870s-1880s
* Maker: J.J. Melchers, Schiedam (Holland)
* Type: Aromatic Schnapps / Gin Bottle
* Color: Vibrant Emerald Green
* Top: Crude Applied Lip (pontil scar likely base)
* Condition: Excellent! No chips or cracks.
* Size: 9.5” tall x 3” wide
A Note on Authenticity:
I have made the conscious decision not to clean the interior of this bottle. The undisturbed contents and sediment are part of its incredible story and are left for the next owner to preserve or investigate, ensuring its provenance remains intact.
This is a museum-quality piece for the advanced collector of historical bottles, nautical antiques, or Dutch gin memorabilia. Own a genuine treasure with a story from the age of exploration.
