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Wine bottle

Date1713

OriginEngland

MediumGlass and silver

DimensionsOH: 7"; Diam: 5 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Miss Josephine Doran

Object number1965-185,A

DescriptionGreen glass wine bottle of typical early eighteenth-century shape. It is globular and squat with a high tapering neck, applied ring below the lip and a moderate kick. A bottle seal inscribed within a rope circle was applied on the shoulder. The seal reads "IOHN / CUSTIS / 1713." In the nineteenth century a silver crescent-shaped medallion was applied beneath the seal and a silver-topped cork stopper was also added to the piece. The inscription on the medallion reads, "Found 1810 in the cellar on the 'Six Chimney Lot' the old residence of the Custis Family in Williamsburg VA. and Presented by Mrs. Galt to Jas. W. Custis. 1852."
InscribedOriginal seal: "IOHN/CUSTIS/1713"
Added inscription: "Found 1810 in the cellar on the 'Six Chimney Lot' the old residence of the Custis Family in Williamsburg VA and Presented by Mrs. Galt to Jas. W. Custis. 1852."
ProvenanceTaken from the home of James Custis in 1876 by Mr. Medary of Philadelphia, to be repaired (according to a letter to Mr. Joseph I. Doran from James Custis' daughter Margaret Hansford, dated May 16, 1896). Much correspondence from this period is in the folder. Purchased by Mr. Doran from Mr. Medary's widow (Emma G. Medary) its receipt for $100 is dated May 16, 1896. That September Mr. Doran sent Mrs. Hansford a check for $50.00 for the bottle (presumably to release any claim she might have on it). Presented to Colonial Williamsburg by Josephine Doran, daughter of Joseph Doran.

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