Through some business relationships, we recently learned about bottles with the Swarovski label affixed to them. The bottle has been referred to as abitters bottle.
Background: According to Wikipedia, “bitters is an alcoholic beverage that is flavored with herbal essences and has a bitter or bittersweet flavor. There are numerous brands of bitters that were formerly marketed as patent medicines but are now considered to be digestifs, rather than medicines. They commonly have an alcoholic strength of 45% ABV and are used as digestifs as flavoring in cocktails.”
Dating back as far as the early 19th century, bitters bottles were known for their unusual shapes, colors and ornate designs. Bitters were supposedly cures for stomach illnesses, but in reality alcohol disguised as medicine. Bitters were popular wherever and whenever alcohol was not acceptable.
The bottle in the picture is about 7″ tall. The 6 glasses are slightly taller than 2″.
From the information we have gathered from our reliable contacts, the container and glasses were purchased from a Tyrolean glass-blowing company and an artist at Swarovski hand-painted them. It is for this reason that the Swarovski sticker label is attached to the bottle and glasses. The bitters bottle and glasses were available for purchase in a shoppe that was likely open to Swarovski employees only.
What a tremendous find on rare Swarovski! Who would have thought there to be any connection between the bottle, glasses, and our favorite crystal brand? It was only because of the Swarovski sticker label, still attached that it was possible to make any such connection. Because of the octagonal shaped label, this suggests dating of the bottle and glasses in the 1970’s and mid-1980’s.
Other rare Swarovski finds and sales have been documented on the Kristall Buzz in 2011:
- Rare Swarovski Crystal Centrotavola (NLE) sold by Crystal Exchange America
- Crystal Fanatics find Rare Swarovski Mouse at Crystal Exchange America
- Swarovski Crystal NLE Hong Kong Art Object sold by Crystal Exchange America
- Crystal Fanatics share Rare Swarovski Canadian Olympic Plaques
Look for more rare Swarovski stories on the Kristall Buzz, and check out the Crystal Exchange America web site www.CrystalExchange.com for rare Swarovski figurines!
Angie / Crystal Exchange America
Swarovski crystal figurines are available at Crystal Exchange America, a professional brokerage service of 25 years, dedicated to helping Swarovski collectors buy and sell retired Swarovski crystal figurines, ornaments, and collectibles.
Crystal Exchange America is reputable, knowledgeable, and has a world-wide customer base with thousands of satisfied customers. Swarovski crystal fanatics can go to www.CrystalExchange.com to obtain more information about safely listing, buying, and selling retired Swarovski, limited edition Swarovski, Swarovski Silver Crystal, and Swarovski crystal figurines.