A bottle is a container used for storing liquids like water and soda. It can also be used to store dry products like medicine, shampoo and motor oil. Bottles are made from a variety of materials. Most are glass, but they can also be made of plastics such as polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or metals such as aluminum and steel. Some are blown, while others are cast or molded into shape. Depending on the material and method of production, bottles can have many different finishes and designs.
While most people are familiar with glass bottles, many are not aware of the wide variety of glass based on other raw materials such as silica and other oxides which can be produced using various processes. These glass systems have a number of unique properties which are often incorporated into products that are used by everyday consumers. They are found in a wide range of household goods including cookware, glass window panes, laboratory equipment, display screens and the amplifiers, multiplexers and switches used in optical fibre telecommunication systems.
This glossary provides definitions for specialized terminology used on this website and in the world of bottle collecting, glassmaking and history. Some of the terms are collector based, some are technical glassmaking jargon and some a mixture of both. Where possible, synonyms or alternative terms are provided for those terms where applicable. This glossary is a valuable tool for those interested in the collecting and study of historic bottles.
Applied color label – A method of labeling, lettering or decorating a bottle by applying a coating of borosilicate glass and mineral or organ pigments with a low melting point over a label which has been placed on a bottle. This process is sometimes referred to as in-mould labelling, baked enamel labeling or pyroglazing. This is a very common technique for labeling and naming bottles which was commonly used on both early and mid-20th century bottles.
Bocca – The opening in the side of a glass furnace through which the gather for making a bottle is taken. Originally this was done with hand tools, but in modern times the process is usually accomplished by a screen and hot melt paints which are applied to the surface of the glass in the bottle as it is being blown into shape.
Base – The bottom portion of a bottle; may refer to the greatest diameter or a more generalized “resting point” for the bottle on its support. See the General Bottle Morphology page for a pop-up explanation of bottle base features.