What’s This? Wednesday: Shimmering Bottles, Hidden Histories.

When you think of bottles, you probably picture something simple—maybe a bottle of juice or a soda. But what if I told you that some old bottles have amazing stories to tell? We’ve been digging into some very special 17th and 18th-century glass bottles, and they’re full of secrets from the past!

The Shimmering Magic of Iridescence

These bottles, made around 1650, were likely used to store wine, beer, or spirits. Back then, bottles weren’t just practical; they were crafted with care and attention to detail. The dark glass had an important job: it kept the contents safe from sunlight, helping to preserve their quality. But today, what makes this bottle truly special is its shimmering, rainbow-like surface, known as iridescence. This magical effect has developed over hundreds of years while the bottle was buried underground.

So, how does this happen? It’s all thanks to a natural process. When glass is buried in soil, moisture from the ground slowly seeps in and reacts with the glass surface. Over time, this reaction changes the glass, creating stunning colours that seem to ripple and shine. Sometimes, thin layers of the glass peel away, adding texture to the already beautiful iridescence.

The type of glass also plays a part. Some glass has more alkali (a chemical compound), which makes it more likely to change over time. Interestingly, this can even happen outside the soil, especially when light interacts with the glass, causing a purple shimmer like the ones found in some pieces at the Folk Museum.

Another effect of this transformation is something called ‘crizzling.’ This is when tiny cracks form on the surface of the glass. It often happens in older glass from the 16th to 18th centuries because the ingredients used weren’t perfectly balanced. These cracks let more moisture in, which speeds up the process and adds to the unique look of the glass.

It’s amazing to think that these bottles, once simple everyday objects, have been transformed by nature into glittering treasures. They remind us how time and the elements can create unexpected beauty, turning something ordinary into something truly extraordinary.

The Gloucestershire Connection: ‘Lloyd of Whetenhurst’

But this bottle holds more than just a shimmering surface—it also offers a rare glimpse into Gloucestershire’s past. Imprinted on the bottle’s wax-seal-like decoration is the name ‘Lloyd of Whetenhurst.’

You might be wondering, "Where is Whetenhurst?" Today, the name Whetenhurst is not widely recognized in Gloucestershire, but it was once the name of Whitminster. This name change began around the late 17th century and was officially adopted in the 20th century.

The bottle, dating back to c.1650, preserves the use of the name Whetenhurst during a time when it was still in use. The seal on the bottle serves as a fascinating time-stamp, making it not only an artifact of the 17th century but also a valuable piece of local history.

A Time Capsule in Glass

What makes this bottle even more remarkable is the way it captures multiple layers of history: from its role in the storage of beverages in the 17th century, to its iridescence caused by centuries of burial, to the glimpse it offers into the past use of a now-forgotten place name in Gloucestershire.

As we continue to explore and share these treasures, it’s clear that every object in the museum holds a unique story. And who knows? The next object we unveil could offer even more hidden pieces of history.

Stay tuned for more fascinating discoveries as we continue our exploration of the past—one object at a time.