I adore old pharmaceutical bottles. They are often hand blown and therefore the glass is thick and slightly irregular with a lovely luminance. These tall bottles are perfect for one large bloom or several finer stems...Last weekend, along with my other pink pretties, I found the one on the right...this weekend...here's hoping.....I might discover another....xv
Don't forget to comment, follow or subscribe to French Essence (that way I know you're there) if you wish to be in the draw for the etoile earrings...xv
my daily click HERE
image - vicki archer
Wow, thank you! Quelle couleur, Je suis ravi!
ReplyDeleteI use old pharmeceutical bottles in my bathroom and kitchen for a variety of uses. And as you have shown they make great vases!
ReplyDeleteThe imperfections of the vintage bottles I have collected attract me for this very reason. There is a beauty in imperfection, in that wonky look to the lip of the bottle, or the distorted transparency. It is like being human....flesh...and heart.
ReplyDeleteI think I shall go outside and cut a single hydrangea and put it in my aqua bottle!!
Anita
also at Isle sur Sorgue? I am going on a hunting trip next week. unfortunately, I will take the tgv down, so can not bring back all that much.
ReplyDeleteI remember those old bottles so well from my childhood. They have such a charming personality. Wishing you a gorgeous weekend ahead.
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteOne of my longtime friends (originally, he was my Gaelic teacher back in the 80's) is, to put the matter mildly, an AESTHETE. He lives, these days, in one of those grand, 1850's townhouses a few blocks from the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The house is filled with all sorts of wildly (and, quite frankly, not at all to my tastes) opulent stuff....various antiques and chandeliers bought from La Vielle Russe in NYC, etcetera.
I'm glad to say that he still keeps (and uses) my favorite among his rather too-many and all too-obvious posssessions. It's a large collection of 19th and early 20th century pharmaceutical bottles (are your eyes lighting up yet, Vicki?).
He must have twenty or more, varying in size and shape, but all made of clear glass and embossed with the word "ALCOHOL" (followed by some chemical formula presumably indicating what sort of chemical-alcohol was originally stored in the bottle).
They're all filled with an array of alcoholic beverages (whiskey, gin, vodka, scotch, etc) set out on a sideboard which functions as a bar. Trust me, this is a household that USES its bar.
None of them are labelled as to their current contents. When it's suggested that he at least get some of those little silver choker-plagues reading "scotch", etcetera, he always cackles and says that, if you can't figure out the difference on your own, then you're not so sufficiently an accomplished-alcoholic as to be drinking in his house anyway....
I've always coveted those old pharmaceutical bottles. Supposedly, they're promised to me in the will. If I ever do get them, I'll at least stick a label on the bottom of each bottle.
Oh, I should emphasize that, unlike everything else in his house, the pharmaceutical/chemistry "alcohol" bottles were all bought for 5 dollars or less at various New England junk stores during the 1960's. Most had been discarded by pharmacies or college chemistry labs when they all switched to pyrex.
Level Best as ever,
david Terry
www.davidterryart.com
What a glorious pink, and the bottles are the perfect way to display it. Good luck on your treasure hunt this weekended! Wish I could join you.
ReplyDeleteMore pink is always welcome! Although I do not use it often in my home, I always find it to be uplifting and positive. Probably should start finding ways of introducing it in my rooms. The bottles are perfect for your exquisite roses. Thanks for the lovely vignette.
ReplyDeleteOh yes,glass bottles + roses!can it get any better? xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteOh these are so pretty! I love the color of the flowers also!
ReplyDeleteI love this pink episode of yours. For me, it's wonderful. Happy summer...
ReplyDeleteI follow so please throw my hat in the ring for the earrings!
ReplyDeleteMerci
I love, love, love this photo Vicki! And might just copy the bottle idea to boot. Thank you and I hope that you are enjoying this glorious evening...
ReplyDeleteOh, there's nothing better than pink. Not a thing at all.
ReplyDeleteI am a pink mood , too . Let's see la vie en rose
ReplyDeleteThe pink look great Vicki
ReplyDeleteI have a faded hydrangea in one of mine. I have a large collection of very old french pharmaceutical bottles, purchased here in Australia that came from a laboratory in Egypt. I'm busy cleaning them right now to put on my blog, theres over 100 so it might take me a while!
bee x
What a beautiful picture! I love the bright color of the flowers, and you´re right, there´s something really special about those bottles!
ReplyDeletexx Ivana
Style in the City
Dear Darling Vicki,
ReplyDeleteThinking Pink…but maybe more in the line of pink grapefruit martini's, we are in the middle of a heat wave and need cooling off! Love the soft images!
We want to thank you for the tweet about our giveaway…our cup runneth over!
Hope your week has been wonderful!
XO,
Renee and Angela
Beautiful vintage finds. I especially adore the vintage spools of pink silk thread.
ReplyDeleteMandy
Oh I envy you being there and finding ---- enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHello Vicki
ReplyDeletethe pink of the blooms and the green of the stems are so vivid and colourful.
Yes I love the bottles - they are all different yet work so well together
x
Loulou
(Australia)
One of my favourite bottles is an old Ponds bottle I found buried in my garden. It's got that charming patina of something old - hopefully people will say that about me as I age...
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki,
ReplyDeleteHow sublimely gorgeous your arrangement is. I love it! Living in a semi tropical place we have an overabundance of every shade of green so to see some colour in my day I have to go to the nursery, buy the punnets and hope they will survive. Usually they do not, hence my raptures at even a photo!
Have a good weekend,
Vickixx
And those bottles get harder and harder to find. The photo makes me want to start going to tag sales again - you never know...
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, I love this photo!! And it is definitely all about the hunt!! Have a wonderful week-end filled with treasures great and small. Mary
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful shade of pink the flowers are! I too have a small collection of apothecary bottles.
ReplyDeleteSuch a gloriously impossible cerise those roses are. Magic! And yes, I agree whole-heartedly about old bottles being beautiful in their imperfections. Did you know that glass is constantly moving, never inert? It is part of the reason for the charming slumped effect on aged glass in windows and bottles. Have a lovely weekend Vicki!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with everyone. Thank you for posting the pink. I really needed it today. And thanks for the shiny pink and copper colored silk thread too.
ReplyDeleteLove vintage bottles and these are perfect for your roses - hope you find more this weekend!!
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty! I love the color of the flowers also!Wishing you a gorgeous weekend ahead.
ReplyDeleteYear Old Birthday Party Ideas
Your photos are sooo pretty. I think how lucky to be able to shop at these great markets to your hearts desire. xx
ReplyDeleteVicki...one of my most favorite things is cruet sets, old bottles, vintages vases...etc...in fact..we discussed that at the shop today! So glad to see your post tonight! Couldn't sleep but glad I'm on here to see all of your beautiful things! Please stop by soon!!! Would love to have your comments and critiques! We received 3 unbelievable paintings today from our exclusive artist, Emily Ozier and cannot wait to put them on the website!!! Please take a look when you can! They should be up by tomorrow afternoon! Take care!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Bradford
Mulberry Heights Antiques
So much more interesting than a simple vase, and the pink is lovely x
ReplyDeleteAMAZING FLOWERS!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove vintage bottles...so beautiful filled with fresh cut flowers..even a single bloom. Just filled some in our shop with rosemary and olive oil for a great little pick up treat for a friend. Happy weekend. Mona
ReplyDeleteVicki, I too love Pink! The bottles are the perfect size for such a fabulous blossom! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou find the most beautiful flowers ... and the presentation is always interesting.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, Katie from
www.westiejulep.blogspot.com
I am dying of envy ~ I love L'iles Sur la Sourge, what a treat to get lost in all of those wonderful brocantes.
ReplyDeleteThe bottles are stunning, just stunning and the flowers delightful! Looking forward to hearing more!
Simply gorgeous! xxoo :)
ReplyDeleteLove these special bottles Vicki, very unique and set of the flowers beautifully!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
So beautiful! Am a follower and would love to win! Fingers crossed, have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot!!! love that look.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bellezadeluna.blogspot.com
Beautiful....
ReplyDeletesometimes I'm quiet - but I am always "still here"
ReplyDeleteVicki~
ReplyDeleteYour roses are stunning and even more so in the antique bottles. Love the way you styled this. Hope you have a wonderful week. xo
My aunt and uncle have an entire collection of these! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOk David Terry, My eyes are big and happy!
ReplyDeleteI love collecting old items and repurposing them and what a story!! Love the idea of using them in this fashion!
One day, I hope to get to Washington DC and stroll along the streets, I will think of your friend hosting a glorious gathering with all sipping libations from these lovely 'alcohol' bottles!
xx
callie