Offered here is an exceptional and scarce variant of the classic 19th-century tapered square "case gin" or "aromatic schnapps" bottle. While the vast majority of these bottles appear in common olive or forest green glass, this example is rendered in a striking, rich honey-amber tone. Its color profile alone sets it apart from 90% of the standard examples found in the secondary market, making it a high-demand piece for glass collectors.

Beyond the rarity of the amber glass, this specimen features a pronounced, embossed circular slug-plate (medallion) on the shoulder area. Unlike the generic, completely smooth blanks, this bottle was specifically manufactured as a "plate variant," intended to showcase a proprietary merchant's brand or a high-end paper label. This architectural detail indicates a higher-quality commercial production and significantly elevates the bottle's historical and aesthetic value.

Standing approximately 9 inches tall, the bottle maintains its quintessential four-sided, downward-tapering form, engineered in the late 1800s for efficient wooden crate packing. It displays pristine, primitive manufacturing characteristics, including a thick, hand-tooled blob finish on the lip, visible vertical mold seams on the corners, and numerous internal seed bubbles trapped within the glass. This is an authentic, untouched piece of 19th-century domestic technology, offering a perfect blend of industrial history and decorative shelf appeal.

Product Information & Item Specifics

• Material: Hand-Blown Antique Glass (Mouth-blown, Mold-formed)

• Color: Rich Honey Amber / Golden Brown

• Shape: Tapered Square (Case Gin / Aromatic Schnapps style)

• Age/Era: Late Victorian Era (Circa 1880–1890)

• Lip/Finish: Tooled Double-Ring / Sloping Collar (Blob top style)

• Markings: Unembossed body panels; raised blank circle medallion on one shoulder panel.

• Dimensions: Approximately 9" Height x 3.25" Width at the widest upper point.

Origin & Historical Context

This specific tapered square form was heavily popularized by Udolpho Wolfe’s Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps and various Dutch medicinal gin distillers throughout the mid-to-late 1800s. While many were embossed with brand names, unembossed "blanks" with a shoulder medallion were widely produced by both European and American glasshouses (such as those in the Pittsburgh district or New Jersey) to be sold directly to local liquor merchants, pharmacists, and alternative medicine bottlers who affixed their own decorative paper labels.

Condition: Excellent Antique Condition. This bottle has no chips, cracks, or deep bruising. The glass retains a bright, glossy surface with minimal high-case wear on the corners. There is some minor, light interior residue/haziness consistent with age and ground burial, which adds to its rustic character. Glass features beautiful crude characteristics including internal seed bubbles. (Please review all high-resolution photos for close-up details).

Reference

Book Title: A Field Guide to American Antique Bottles > Author: Gilbert Tosh

Page Number: Page 114–116 (Section covering Tapered Square Case Gins, Schnapps Bottles, and Shoulder Medallions).

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

We take great care in researching, identifying, and describing each antique item to the best of our ability, drawing on available resources and hands-on examination. However, as dedicated enthusiasts rather than professional appraisers or certified experts, we cannot offer guarantees on authenticity, age, origin, or precise valuation. We strongly recommend that buyers perform their own due diligence, including consulting reference materials or experts, and thoroughly examine the accompanying photographs. These images are an essential component of our listing and depict the item's actual condition, including any visible flaws, wear, or imperfections consistent with its antique nature. It is the buyer's responsibility to inspect each lot and form their own assessment on condition, description and authenticity before purchasing. All items have signs of wear commensurate with age and usage. The lack of statement regarding condition does not imply that the item is in perfect condition or free from any and all defects. If you have any questions regarding the condition of the items, please ask and we will be more than happy to answer and/or provide additional photos as requested.

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