Antique THOMPSON’S BRIDGEPORT CT Bottle Open Pontil Burst Top Crude Whittled For Sale

Rare Early American Eye Medicine Bottle – “THOMPSON’S / EYE WATER / BRIDGEPORT”
ca. 1845–1860 | Open Pontil | Burst Top | Crude Glass with Orange Peel Texture

This is a rare, hand-blown mid-19th century medicinal bottle, embossed:

THOMPSON’S / EYE WATER / BRIDGEPORT

It’s a beautifully crude example of early American pharmaceutical glass and one of the few known pontiled ophthalmic bottles tied to Bridgeport, Connecticut. These bottles were used to hold medicated eyewash — a common treatment for irritated or infected eyes in the pre-antibiotic era.

• Embossing:

  • EYE WATER

  • Glass Color: Pale aqua

  • Lip: Classic burst top, snapped from the blowpipe and fire-finished

  • Pontil Mark: Strong open pontil scar on the base

  • Surface Texture: Rich “orange peel” dimpling from worn molds or fast cooling

  • Crudeness: Loaded with air bubbles, whittle marks, and even unmelted gobs of glass in the shoulder

  Historical Context – What Was Eye Water?

  Eye waters were liquid medicines used to soothe:

  • Red, inflamed, or sore eyes

  • Eye strain or irritation from dust or smoke

  • Early infections like conjunctivitis

  Common ingredients included:

  • Rose water

  • Silver nitrate (mild antiseptic)

  • Zinc sulfate

  • Alcohol or camphor

  Thompson’s Eye Water was likely made and sold by a local apothecary or patent medicine producer in Bridgeport, CT — possibly W.H. Thompson, listed as a druggist in mid-1800s Connecticut directories. Bottles like this were filled and corked locally, then sold by druggists or general stores.

  Dating & Manufacturing Details:

  This bottle dates between 1845–1860, based on:

  • The burst top lip (pre-1860s feature)

  • The open pontil base scar (used until about 1860)

  • The extreme crudeness, bubbles, and early mold-blown texture

  The orange peel effect on the surface and seed bubbles throughout the glass show its hand-made nature — a common result of using worn molds and rapid cooling.

  Measurements (approx):

  • Height: 3.75" T

  Condition:

  • No cracks or structural damage

  • Burst top lip is intact with typical early finishing marks

  • Strong embossing on all panels

  • Clean, bright and shiny! No ghosting or staining

  • Displays extremely well with high character and strong historical value

  Why It Matters:

  This is a scarce, geographically embossed, and highly desirable early American medicine bottle, especially for collectors of:

  • Pontiled glass

  • Ophthalmic or eye-related bottles

  • Crude 19th-century glass

  • Connecticut or New England apothecary history

  These bottles rarely survive in such condition, especially with this level of crudeness and eye appeal.