After some discussion and research this past week, we have agreed to do a few test dives in a new location today.
The dive was only about 30ft, and looked promising through the first thirty minutes or so. I had recovered about 20 bottles, then the trail went cold. As the bottom makeup changed to a smooth sandy patch, there it was… about half hidden into the sand. I couldnt belive my eyes, but still wasent sure I had a whole bottle. As i waved my hand back and forth to clear the sand, the onion started to become more visible. There it was, staring me back in the face.
After a little help from the glass experts that specialize in eary pieces, this was identified as an English Onion Bottle circa 1705-1715. Absolutely, my best find this year.
Update: I’ve been asked by several members to post a picture of the damaged side… So here you go…
Beautiful story and stunning bottle!!
Take a picture of the hole in the side for us!
Reece,
As much as I absolutely hate looking at that beautiful bottle from the cracked side, I’ve gone ahead and updated the blog post with a picture of the damaged side. I hope you don’t get as sad as I do looking at it 🙁 . Thanks for checking out our finds and we look forward to sharing of bunch of great stories all season long!
Thanks,
-Ed
Thanks, still a beautiful bottle. Will pick up light better in a window with the hole in the back… Cheers
Also, I have heard several people theorize that onions with a hole could be due to colonial people breaking out the seal on the side for use as trade or token…. Not sure if this is true, but possibly because the majority of onions I’ve seen have a hole in the upper side just like yours.
Nice of you to clean up the bottom like that. Want to put them in my recycle bin?
It looks like a recent break. It may have been unbroken for over 300 years….
Shane, the broken portion was buried below the sand, protected from the elements, so I’m not sure… you think it looks like a more recent break? -Ed