Bottle

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'Phosphorus bottles' such as this were used from the late 18th century for making fire by chemical means. This example dates from around 1830.

The glass bottle has a glass stopper, into which a metal rod terminating in a five-pronged holder for the phosphorus has been inserted.

Phosphorous spontaneously bursts in flames when exposed to air and is normally stored in water.

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-605-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MGP 4
• Date: Around 1830
  c. 1830
  
• Material: Glass / metal
  Bottle, phosphorus / stopper / rod, pronged
  
• Dimensions: 3.75" H x 1.70" D base / 2.25" H stopper
  
• What: Bottle, phosphorus / stopper / rod, pronged
  
• Subject: Matches, of all kinds and containers (NMAS Classification)
  
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• Where:
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• Description: Phosphorus bottle of glass with a glass stopper, into which a metal rod terminating in a five-pronged holder for the phosphorus has been inserted, c. 1830
  
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