19 



On some Glass Flasks from Dorsetshire. By James Bttckman, 

 F.L.S., F.G.S., &c. 



In the parish of Thomford, just over the Yeo, which separates 

 it from Bradford Abbas, a proprietor, iu digging a potato 

 garden, came upon a row of Flasks placed end to end. They 

 consisted of three quarts and two pints. They were globular in 

 shape, and composed of rough, dark green glass, (see Fig. 1,) 

 upon each of which was an impressed stamp, raised in the form 

 of a label, — the stamp evidently being that of a crest. 



Having sent drawings to Mr. Albert Wat, I have been 

 favoured by him with the following ideas upon the matter : — 



" The Glass Flasks are curious. I have seen a few such objects 

 marked with some heraldic insignia and initials. Whether they 

 contained Sack, or Ehenish, I cannot pretend to say ; or when 

 the fashion came in of placing some personal decorations on 

 such wine bottles — tJie ;prototypes no doubt of decanters. 



"The form is, I imagine, Dutch or North German, but I 

 fancy was probably followed in our glass works, and is not 

 obsolete in these days. I should imagine yours to be about 

 1700, perhaps earlier. The flying falcon recalls the crest of the 

 Pa0lets, but the coronet is that of a Baron. 



" There is a glass bottle (amongst others) in the Museum of 

 the Eoyal Ii-ish Academy, with a raised stamp, — 



J. Swift, Dean, 



1727 



probably referable to the time of his popularity, as many others 

 bear his name. I have seen, however, several bottles with 

 heraldic stamps, certainly referring to the noble family for 



