I have always had a great love for old pieces that could be integrated in the decoration of the home with newer furnishings and decor. What is most amazing is that some of these pieces that grace my home, could be registered as antique. They have very significant memories for me.
The first of these is this kettle that is held on a stand. I remember asking my grandmother about it and she said that it was her parent’s kettle. It’s estimated to be at least 150 years old. It was always exciting for me when I would go into the storage part of the basement, take out my “Magic Kettle” and rub it. I prayed that a genie would come out and give me great wealth. After a while I knew that my wishes would not be the result of rubbing my “magic kettle.” When I got married and moved away, I asked my parents for it and I was told that I could have it. It was always black, but when I cleaned it, I saw that it was beautiful brass. This kettle stays in my kitchen on a cabinet that is a copy of an old type Ice Box.
This is a wonderful wine bottle that has a unique musical box in the bottom that plays a lovely waltz when you pour wine from it or pick it up and turn it to the side. This design is so contemporary. It is at least 60 years old, but it looks like a very modern piece. A cousin of mine, who is an antique dealer, sold me this wine container for $20.00 more than 25 years ago. He did his research and told me that as of that day, this bottle/container was more than 35-40 years old. This sits in the open area of the China Closet in the dining room.
I purchased this lovely blue bottle from a small antique store more than 20+ years ago. I don’t know why I was so fascinated with it, but I stayed around the antique shop and asked the man to give me a good price. He was determined that he wasn’t going to sell it to me. However, after several people came into the shop and they didn’t even look at this bottle that was sitting right before them, he looked at me disgusted and said take it. I was so proud that I had won and I said, “How much?”. He told me, ” Give me $.50.” I was so shocked. I purchased it and ran out of the store. This item also sits in the open area of the China Closet. He told me some tale, before I purchased it, that it was a wine container from an old, old ship.
These items play a very significant role in the decoration of my home. People always ask me about the different pieces. I tell them that they don’t have to be valuable, but have sentimental value for me and an asset to the home/room. So, look around in your home in the attics, storage basements, flee markets, antique shops, etc. Evaluate each piece in your home before you throw or give anything away.
If you have any researched information or comments about the items that I have shown you, please feel free to respond. There are so many wonderful decorative pieces in your home that often go over looked, because they are old. Old is beautiful!!!
1. Hi, Betty, I believe your brass kettle was made in England. If there are two arrows + J.C. impressed on it, it was made by the James Clews Foundry (1835-1948). It has a classic swan neck. Some people call it a “toddy” or “spirit” kettle. Others feel since alcohol was used to warm it, it’s use has been confused over time and was probably used for tea. The fact that the iron stand still exists increases its value. Your wine bottle lookes like … glass. The blue bottle was probably found in water (dredged up) or dug from an old dump site since the iridescence is evidence of being in the water. If you can find and read any markings on either bottle, further research could be done.
by Dee — 3/25/08 at 4:49 pm #
2. Hi Dee,
You are awesome!! Thank you so much for providing this information. No one has been able to provide anything of this nature. On the bottom of the kettle is S&S. At least, that’s what it looks like. The iron stand still has the screen covering the container where the alchohol would be.
The wine bottle/decanter evidently had another piece on the bottom, but it only has the place to turn the musical chime and then the little piece that turns off this chime when it is set on it’s bottom.
You are right about the irridescent blue bottle. It is obvious that it was in water and sand. Inside the bottle is residue that can not be removed. I’ve tried quite a few things. Now, on the bottom of the bottle- around the edge is “Federal Law forbids sale or reuse of this bottle.” Also is:
L-9529
D126
58 61
An indented circle in the center of this bottom has (1) and on the other side 2
Any additional information that you have would be wonderful!!!!
Thank you immensely and have a great week!
by Betty — 3/26/08 at 4:47 pm #
3. Dee, Hi, I’m new to this but came across your pics of the blue bottle, it is very interesting. However, it reminds me of a ‘craft’ project that I did with my little daughter in the 70’s. There was a ‘type’ of ‘glass glaze’ that we poured into and around the inside of the bottle, let it dry, then ‘painted’ the same type of ‘glass glaze’ on the outside. The results were pretty much similar to the look of your bottle, the ‘glass craft glaze’ that we did was labeled ‘for decorative purpose only’(the inside treatment left a tiny bit of residue inside snyway). There were blue, rose, & green glazes.
I’m not sure this helps, but sure brought back some good memories for me, wish I’d kept one of those bottles thru the years! Again, I do NOT know at all if yours is the same as the ‘craft’ ones we made, BUT just seeing it, brought me a little ’smile’ of remembering!!:) THANKS!
by Debby — 3/30/08 at 12:44 pm #
4. Hi Debby,
That sounds like an interesting project and I can see how it might have the same results. Thank you so much! You have helped a great deal. This bottle might have brought you a little smile as you remember some of the wonderful memories, but you have also given me a smile just thinking about how great a time you must have had. Thank you so much for sharing. You have given me considerable food for thought.
Keep in touch with us and let us know what you think.
by Betty — 3/31/08 at 4:31 pm #
5. A bit more info for you, Betty. The “Federal Law…” wording was required on all liquor bottles after prohibition, 1932-1964. Bottle manufacturers were required to purchase a permit, and that permit number had to be blown into each bottle, along with the year the permit was effective. Therefore, I believe your bottle was made (19)58 (19)61. About your kettle. It probably isn’t English, after all. May have been made by S. Sternau & Co. (1896-1920). Their logo looks kind of like S & S. There may be a spellcheck that didn’t recognize a word, but I tried to describe your music bottle as looking like … glass. Hope I’ve been of help!
by Dee — 4/1/08 at 8:39 am #
6. Hi Dee,
You are utterly amazing! I truly appreciate your research and your commitment to find answers to some very complex questions. Thank you so very much for taking the time to share with me, what I was not able to find out. Are you an historian or antique specialist? I appreciate your talent for investigative research.
I hope that you continue to keep in touch with us and share.
by Betty — 4/1/08 at 10:14 pm #
7. Hi Betty, You are welcome. I’m not a specialist but I do enjoy the research necessary to identify the age and maybe history of things. It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together. I especially like older furniture that shows the craftsmanship not found in most new pieces. I’m still learning how to tie my collections together and have learned quite a bit about decorating from this blog! Thank you and the others who contribute. I’ve also made many recent visits to Home Goods to get ideas for my son and his family, who are buying a house. I’ll keep you posted on our finds!
Dee
by Dee — 4/2/08 at 8:27 am #
8. Hi Dee,
You are really an extraordinary person! It is hard to comprehend that this is not a job for you. You provide a service that most people who like and have antiques in their homes, could profit from. You could use your skills in working with antique dealers and providing pertinent information about their pieces that they wish to sell. Thank you for what you have given to me.
It is great that you are learning from this HG Blog to get some ideas about decorating. For some reason, I think that you could give HG some information about decorating. (Smile) Dee, you are going to the right place to check out furniture and accent pieces for your sons home. The one thing that I have found is that regardless of where I shop, I cannot find better bargains then what I find at HomeGoods. What is most exciting is that the quality is exceptional and the cost is so low. I am constantly comparing items that are in higher priced stores with the same items at HomeGoods, where the price is low. That’s why I love the mantra ” You get to live the life without paying the price.”
Dee, please keep in touch and keep us posted on the finds that you make.
by Betty — 4/2/08 at 4:21 pm #
9. We have the exact same bottle, and we are also wondering if anyone knows the company or history of the bottle. I purchased mine at a thrift store and we thought it made a nice peice to our home because it has a complacent friendship message with hands shaking….
by Sarah — 4/13/08 at 3:53 am #
10. Hi Sarah,
I am floored to learn that you have the same bottle! Did you check out the researched information that Dee provided in the #5 comment. She provided info that I had never heard before. I’m extremely pleased with what she was able to share. It’s an exciting bottle that stimulates interest and conversation. It has made such a difference to have this information. It’s amazing what you learn on this blog! You get great information from caring people.
Let me know if you learn anything else. And, if I find some additional information, I’ll let you know.
Have great hunting in markets of all kinds (smile)!!
by Betty — 4/14/08 at 8:43 pm #
11. I have this same bottle as well. I was researching it myself earlier today. We were doing some cleaning and while dusting it off noticed the imprint on the bottom of the bottle. I also found that it is most likely from 1958 during a time when companies had to put this on the bottom of their liquor bottles. Follow up with more info if you have any.
Aaron
by Aaron — 11/16/08 at 6:29 pm #
12. I have the exact same bottle but know nothing about it can any clue me in ?
by Teri — 2/5/09 at 4:49 pm #
13. I have 5 bottles L-9526 Rose, L-9527 Clear, L-9528 Green & L-9529 Blue.
These were given to me by my mother. A friend of hers in Florida gave them to her some time in 1962. The story I was told was that these were from her husbands distilery in Cuba…this is all I know. I have 2 of the Friendship, 1 Courage, 1 Horn of Plenty & 1 Liberty. Apparently these were ordered from a supplier in the US and filled in Cuba. I wish I knew more about these bottles myself.
by Pamaw — 11/19/09 at 6:10 pm #