51/80

A round, green, glass bottle covered all over with white wicker work for carrying cider into the field at harvest time. It has three roped handles, one higher up than the other two for ease of pouring, and a lid which fits closely over the cork. The covering of the cork is paired and the border of the lip is twisted and tied. There is a tin plate attached to the bottom giving the maker’s name, ‘Gebr. Meyer of Hamburg’.

1 bottle [with basketwork cover]; green glass; willow (white)

Citation in publication [H. J. Massingham, 'Country Relics' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1939)] –'Lastly, I have a cider-bottle of green glass, given me by Mr Meyrick Jones of Woodlands Manor, Mere. It is covered with wicker-work all over, has three handles and a lid of closely woven straw to fit over the cork.' (p.121), MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BOTTLE (cider with basketwork cover) // Acc. No.: 51/80M // Group: DOMESTIC. Storing DRINK. // Collection: H. J. Massingham // Neg. no.: 35/116 // Place of origin: // Period in use: // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Green glass covered all over with white willow. // Shape and construction: A round bottle. The sides are slewed. 3 handles, roped, two on the shoulder, the third at the lip. The covering of the cork is paired. Border of lip is twisted & tied. // Dimensions: 1’8” high. Bottom diam. 9” BS. [number of bottom sticks] 5 1/2 St. [number of stakes] 22. // Use: For carrying cider into the fields at harvest time. // Note Tin plate giving makers name: Gebr. [Gebruder] Meyer of Hamburg. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: See V&A [Victoria and Albert Museum] Tapestry 1700. ', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/80 // NAME: CIDER BOTTLE [Basketwork cover] // NEG NO.: 35/116 // STORAGE: P. Ex. [Permanent Exhibition] Gallery.'

Hamburg

Bottle, cider, Cover, bottle, Basketwork

Wood, willow, white, Glass

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)