Victorian Bitters Bottle Appraisal

Ball & Claw Bitters Figural Bottle

This is a detailed figural bitters bottle crafted in a vibrant translucent cobalt blue glass. The bottle is designed in the distinct shape of a bird's talon clutching a spherical orb, a classic 'ball and claw' motif popular in decorative arts. The neck of the bottle mimics the scaly texture of a bird’s leg, extending upward to a slender finish topped with a natural cork stopper. Embossed on the front of the spherical body is the text 'BALL & CLAW BITTERS' arranged in a semi-circle, with 'WORLD'S BEST REMEDY' likely appearing below or on the reverse, identifying it as a patent medicine vessel. The glass displays a subtle hammered or orange-peel texture, typical of 20th-century reproductions of 19th-century styles. This specific piece appears to be a mid-to-late 20th-century decorative reproduction rather than an antique original from the 1860s, evidenced by the uniform clarity and saturation of the blue glass and the modern machine-formed appearance of the lip and base. The item is in excellent visible condition with no chips, cracks, or structural damage, maintaining a high-gloss finish and crisp embossed lettering. The craftsmanship shows consistent wall thickness and intentional detail in the talon texture, making it a highly collectible piece of decorative glass history.