Summary
This small clear glass bottle was excavated at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. It was manufactured by B W Co in London and would have been used for perfume.
Health and hygiene.
'Cleanliness is next to Godliness'. This is a difficult maxim to follow when 'there is not one bath in sixty', when sewerage gathers in cesspits and open drainage channels line the streets.But the residents of Little Lon did practice personal hygiene. Archaeologists have uncovered toothbrushes and toothpaste pots, scent bottles, soap dishes, combs and hairbrushes.
Clean teeth and neat hair did not guarantee good health however. Doctors were expensive, so ordinary people had to rely on medicines like Holloway's Ointment and Hall's Vegetable Pain Conqueror as well as Chinese herbal remedies. Children were dosed weekly with the laxative castor oil, to keep their bowels regular.
Physical Description
This is a small clear glass perfume bottle. It has a flanged lip with a cylindrical neck and sloped down shoulders. It has a straight ovoid body and flat resting point with marked base. The glass has become opalised.
Physical Description
Clear glass perfume bottle. Flanged lip, cylindrical neck, sloped down shoulders ovoid body horizontal, straight body vertical. Flat resting point with marked base. Mark reads 'B W. Co LONDON' with other illegible writing underneath.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Heritage Victoria, Industry Superannuation Property Trust, 03 May 2005
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Manufacture Name
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Manufacturer
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Inscriptions
Mark on base reads 'B W. Co LONDON' with illegible writing underneath
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Context Number
19/09
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Site
[CCS] Australia, Victoria, Commonwealth Block, Melbourne
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Distinguishing Marks
Mark on base reads 'B W. Co LONDON' with illegible writing underneath
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Activity
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Provenance
London
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Exhibition Collection Management
25 mm (Length), 35 mm (Width), 65 mm (Height)
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Keywords