The JM Reeve 1738 bottle is an extremely rare octagonal bottle with a long tapering neck, straight sides and sloping shoulders. The seal is positioned just beneath the shoulder on the narrow face and was beautifully engraved by a master. Very few octagonal bottles were produced, and even fewer are extant. David Burton reports that, as most of these have been found in America, they may be of American manufacture. He speculates that this could be a bottle made for a Virginian. This bottle sold for an exceptional price in the 1990s, reflecting the rarity and importance of the bottle, despite the star crack.
Item Date: Dated 1738
Measurement: Height: 10"
Material: Glass blown into a mold
Item Condition: Full gloss. tiny star crack on shoulder and chip to the bottom edge.
Reference: A related example pictured and discussed in David Burton's book, "English Sealed Bottles and the families that owned them" [pp 664-665]. The bottle which we offer is discussed therein.
Provenance: A number of these rare octagonal-shaped bottles have been found in America, or form part of American public and private collections, suggesting a possible association with the families who owned the bottles. It has even been suggested that a number were manufactured in America. *Although the family has not been positively identified, Reeve was a common surname in Virginia and other colonial outposts in the 1730's.
Price: $12,500
SKU 843-531
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.
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