BOTTLES

This find comprises of four stoneware bottles with the inscription "A PHILLIPS VICTORIA VI" and one stoneware ink bottle inscribed "BLACKWOODS" bearing a pouring lip. All vessels are constructed in a cream stoneware ceramic with a clear glaze.

The four A PHILLIPS bottles are approximately 220 mm in overall height (150 mm from heel to sharply angled shoulder), with an exterior diameter of 80 mm in the body and 30 mm at the finish. The finish is of a type known as an applied finish, from glass bottle construction where an additional strip of glass is applied around the rim of the bottle, in this case this ring was likely to have been part of the mould in which the bottle was manufactured. The body is cylindrical with a sharp angle at the shoulder, with the constriction above the shoulder being straight before curving into the short neck immediately beneath the finish. the vessel in the photo is of good condition with one small chip at the base.

The ink bottle is approximately 180 mm in height (120 mm from heel to sharply angled shoulder), with an exterior diameter of 80 mm in the body, 30 mm at the neck and 45 mm at the flared finish and pouring lip. The neck bears two horizontal beaded rings <5 mm thick, approximately 10 mm apart and 15 mm below the flared finish. The body is cylindrical with a sharp angle at the shoulder, with the constriction above the shoulder being slightly concave as is curves into the short neck.The vessel is in moderately good condition, though there is some cracking of the glaze evident and a small amound of encrustation around the base.

Dating of these vessels, based on the known operating period of the companies inscribed upon them, is likely after 1858 (A Phillips arrives in Victoria), but prior to 1871 when the patent of Blackwoods bottles and change in form is likely. This is predicated on the vessels being from the same wreck.

The A PHILLIPS inscriptions refer to the Pioneer Syrup, Soda & Cider Works established by Alexander Aaron Phillips of Victoria, British Columbia after 1858. Mr Phillips is the first recorded Jewish resident of Victoria (http://www.jmaw.org/phillips-victoria-jewish-bc/ accessed January 2019). The vessels presumably predate the 1881 change of the business name to A Phillips and Son. No record of where these vessels were produced could be found, though given the large quantities of stoneware vessels exported to Canada and the USA from Great Britain in the mid-19th century it is possible these were being exported to Canada for Mr Phillips.

The other bottle, though the inscription is only partially visible in photo, appears to be an ink bottle from ink manufacturer Blackwood & Co, London. This company appears to have existed from at least 1851, based on an advertisement in the 4th November 1851 issue of The Times. In 1856 the company patented their design of pouring ink bottle, and again in 1871, with the later examples bearing the words "PATENT SYPHON" immediately below the company name. That this inscription is missing from this vessel, that the patented vessels bear a more pronounced and elongated lip, along with a small hole in the rear of the neck opposite the spout, implies this particular example predates 1871.