On display

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Bottle Ticket

1823-1824 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The history of bottle tickets provides a fascinating insight into English eating, drinking and personal habits. Contemporary gazettes begin to refer to ‘labels for bottles’ in the 1770s but it was not until the 1790s that they were established as wine or decanter labels. Their function was to identify the contents of a bottle or decanter, which might alternatively contain spirits, sauces, toilet waters or cordials. These tickets also illustrate in miniature, the skills of the silversmith over the last two hundred years. While the variety of styles and materials were enormous, silver bottle tickets tended to reflect fashionable designs in metalware generally. Makers were quick to adapt the many technical advances of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bottle Ticket
  • Chain
Materials and techniques
Silver, pierced and engraved
Brief description
Silver, Birmingham hallmarks for 1823-4, mark of Joseph Willmore.
Physical description
Bottle ticket (one of set of three) with the word "BUCELLAS." Silver, pierced and engraved, round ended ribbon label surrounded by openwork vine leaves, tendrils and grapes; chain attached.
Dimensions
  • Length: 5.5cm
  • Width: 4.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Birmingham hallmarks for 1823-4
  • Mark of Joseph Willmore
  • BUCELLAS
Gallery label
(2000)
"BUCELLAS" (Engraved)
Birmingham, 1823-4
Mark of Joseph Willmore
Bucellas was a Portugese wine
M.1078-1944
Credit line
P. J. Cropper Bequest
Object history
Acquisition RF: 44 / 177
Bequest - P.J. Cropper
per W J Sheldrick
From set of three “Bucellas” Bucellas was a Portugese wine.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The history of bottle tickets provides a fascinating insight into English eating, drinking and personal habits. Contemporary gazettes begin to refer to ‘labels for bottles’ in the 1770s but it was not until the 1790s that they were established as wine or decanter labels. Their function was to identify the contents of a bottle or decanter, which might alternatively contain spirits, sauces, toilet waters or cordials. These tickets also illustrate in miniature, the skills of the silversmith over the last two hundred years. While the variety of styles and materials were enormous, silver bottle tickets tended to reflect fashionable designs in metalware generally. Makers were quick to adapt the many technical advances of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
M.1078-1944

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest