Antique Pressed Glass Dog Liquor Bottle c1900 – 32cm Novelty Decanter

This charming pressed glass bottle is moulded in the form of a seated dog and was originally produced as a novelty liquor or cordial container, most likely in the late 19th to early 20th century. Standing an impressive 32 cm high, it has real presence and makes an eye‑catching decorative piece, whether used as a bottle, a quirky candlestick or an up‑cycled craft project.

The dog is modelled in the round, shown sitting upright on a circular plinth with beaded edge. The body displays a lively mix of textures: stippled areas suggest the dog’s short coat, while heavier, rounded moulding around the chest, shoulders and head represents a curly ruff. The detailing continues through the back and tail, giving the figure an appealing characterful look even though the glass remains completely clear and uncoloured. From the front the dog’s paws rest against its chest, creating a natural break between the slightly waisted “bottle” body and the sculptural head and shoulders.

The neck rises straight from the shoulders and would once have taken a cork or possibly a fitted glass stopper. As the close‑up photographs show, there is a noticeable cut or chip to the rim, with associated small losses, but the neck itself remains stable and upright. For display or craft use the rim damage is not visually intrusive, and the bottle still stands and handles well; if you prefer, the top could be lightly ground smooth by a professional glass restorer.

Construction details suggest a pressed‑glass manufacture rather than hand‑blown crystal. The base is thick and flat with a slight raised centre and a crisply moulded gadrooned border, typical of moulded table and novelty glass from around 1880–1920. No maker’s mark is visible, which is common for utilitarian or advertising novelty bottles of this period. Comparable examples were made in continental Europe, particularly in France and Central Europe, and sold filled with liqueur or spirits; when empty they were often reused as decorative ornaments or children’s night‑light holders.

Condition overall is good for an antique glass container that has clearly seen everyday use. Apart from the rim chip already noted, there are the expected minor manufacturing irregularities – tiny bubbles in the glass, slight seams from the mould and a little wear to the base from standing – all of which are consistent with age and early mass‑production methods. There are no structural cracks through the body, and the decorative modelling to the dog’s face, ears and paws remains nicely defined.

Because of its clear glass and tall, straight neck, this piece adapts beautifully for modern reuse. It can serve as a single‑stem flower vase, a candle holder (a taper candle will sit neatly in the neck), or an imaginative element in a vintage‑inspired display. Collectors of animal‑shaped bottles, circus or canine memorabilia, and early 20th‑century pressed glass will appreciate both its scale and the charming period character of the modelling.

Dimensions: approximately 32 cm high. Colour: clear, very slightly warm‑toned from age. Material: pressed glass. A delightful and unusual survivor from the late Victorian to Edwardian era, ready to add quirky antique charm to any interior or collection.