There are many types of cathedrals in this world, but one in particular made my day on a cold morning dive last season.

The Dive

As is with the majority of my dives, I find nothing of particular significance. This dive, true to form, was particularly uneventful – I didn’t see much in terms of treasure, so I did my part to pick up trash from uncaring polluters.

It’s really amazing what some people discard. . .

It’s really amazing what some people discard – out of sight, out of mind. . . but hey. . . I guess if trash stays down there long enough, it might become someone’s treasure in a hundred years.

Toward the end of the dive, I found this gem. Partially buried, I felt horrible when I plucked it from the bottom and a eel who was making it her hideout slithered out. I knew this was a special find, so I brought it straight to the surface.

Years of mineral and organic deposits have accumulated on the glass surface, each offering a different challenge to clean. Careful and tedious brushing reveals the hidden treasure hidden below Nature’s camouflage.

Research

I’m not an expert in antique glass by any means, but here’s what I discovered. This find is what is commonly known as a “Cathedral Pickel Jar.” They were commonly made in the 1850’s and 1860’s. I’m not sure if this particular jar was manufactured by the West Willington Glassworks 1814-1872, but there has been much buzz in collector’s circles about several famous finds which sold at auction for extremely high amounts (amber being the most valuable.) From what I’ve researched, Willington Gothic Cathedrals have a different pattern on the sides as what I found. Typically, the fourth side was left without a pattern for the application of a label. I’d be interested to know if anyone has more information on the bottle pictured which has a distinctive cross hatch pattern. The West Willington Glassworks company was created by a group of investors to compete with the other glassworks companies at the time such as Pitkin Glassworks, The John Mathers Glassworks, and the Coventry Glassworks.

For me, aside from the thrill of discovering these treasures, researching the history is just as fascinating. Please feel free to comment and offer any insights you may have. Thanks!