Embossed glass bottle fragment (likely medicine or utility bottle shard)
Estimated Value
$5-$25 as a collectible shard; potentially higher only if conclusively identified as a rare bottle type or maker
This appears to be a broken fragment from a clear embossed glass bottle, likely a medicine, chemical, or household utility container. The glass is machine-made or semi-machine-made in appearance, with raised lettering molded into the body. Visible text includes partial words such as 'ITS ONLY', 'BAS...', 'NO...DIRE...', and '...R', but the full inscription cannot be confidently reconstructed from the image alone. The fragment has irregular broken edges and a thick, utilitarian body typical of early bottled goods. The embossing suggests the bottle once carried product instructions or a slogan rather than decorative branding.
Era
Late 19th century to early 20th century (approximately 1880s-1930s)
Origin
Likely United States
Material
Clear molded glass
Condition
Fair to Poor; fragment only, with heavy edge damage, chips, and surface wear. Embossing remains partially legible but incomplete.
Physical Details
Dimensions
Approximately 3.5 to 5 inches tall as preserved fragment; original bottle likely medium-sized, around 8 to 10 inches tall
Weight
Light
Authentication
Authenticity Score
Medium; the glass and embossing appear period-consistent, but the fragment is too incomplete to authenticate a specific maker or product with confidence
Provenance
Unknown; likely from a domestic refuse or dump context, possibly recovered as a surface find or from a broken bottle deposit. The style suggests common American commercial packaging from the late 19th or early 20th century.
Historical Significance
Embossed utilitarian bottles are important examples of early commercial packaging and advertising. Even common fragments can be useful for bottle collectors and archaeologists because they help date refuse deposits and document consumer products of the period.