Glass Bottle (from the abandoned silk mill)

[Mike Buckley]

When I recently visited an abandoned silk mill, I came upon this glass bottle. The owner graciously allowed me to take it home so I could photograph it in my makeshift studio. I'll return it to him along with a print of the photo.

The bottle has been in the mill probably since 1957 when all operations ceased. The owner did not remember ever noticing it, so this is probably the first time it has been outside the mill since then. I intentionally did not clean the bottle so it could be returned to the mill in the same condition as when I removed it.

[Digital]

Mike, very nice capture. You have shown the texture of the bottle very well.



Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, Bruce. I should have mentioned that the texture is the junk on the inside of the bottle, nothing on the outside or the bottle itself.

[Shadowman]

Nice find, those are the best still life subjects. Nice image.

[NorthernFocus]

That's pretty cool, Mike. Any markings or anything to indicate the age of the bottle or what it was originally for? Seems like the opening in the neck is awefully small as if for some special purpose.

I grew up in coastal South Carolina. There were a lot of remnants of old rice and indigo plantations in the woods. In the 80s timeframe collecting old bottles was a big deal. People would go to great pains to find the rubbish heaps or to dredge the wells of those old places. Virtually all of the bottles were of European origin as that is where most goods came from back then. As I recall finding medicine bottles was particularly prized. Also a lot of the buildings were built with bricks that came across from Europe as ballast in ships that would return full of rice. They offloaded the bricks at the plantations and used them to build with. A lot of the brickwork in my parents home was faced with those old bricks that I recovered from rummaging around in the woods.

This post has no business in your thread, Mike, but seeing that bottle and the mention of 1957 (a significant year for me) just flashed that memory in my pea brain....

[Brownbear]

Indeed it is a beautiful bottle that I would love to have for a flower vase. However, I know that is not going to happen so I'll just have take pleasure in viewing your image of this beauty. Truly exquisite! (your image, and the bottle )

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

There are no markings on the bottle. I have no idea what might have been stored in it.

This post has no business in your thread, Mike

I'm very happy to tell you that you're quite wrong. Thank you for providing the interesting information that makes me believe that I'm far from alone in thinking that your post adds significantly to the thread.

I wonder if you're willing to explain the significance of the year 1957 in your life. If so, great! If not, completely understandable.

[NorthernFocus]

...I wonder if you're willing to explain the significance of the year 1957 in your life...

That's when it all began for me. Perhaps to the detriment of the world at large and almost certainly to the chagrin of my parents. So I guess the reference activated childhood memories and those of my (deceased) parents

[Mike Buckley]

That's when it all began for me.

Your interest in monochrome began that long ago? Good for you! (For those of you who haven't been following my discussion with Dan in a separate thread, please ignore this post.)

[NorthernFocus]

Your interest in monochrome began that long ago?

I never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer...

[deetheturk]

Very nice Mike.

[John 2]

Mike, nicely presented and nicely photographed.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to John and David.

[bnnrcn]

This is a very nice bottle Mike and I'm sure it became much nicer with your photographing Very nice shape,texture and colours indeed.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Binnur.

The bottle is now on its way back to the abandoned silk mill.