potato shaped bottle

potato shaped bottle , circa 1900

Where object was made: Bohemia (Present-day Czech Republic) or United States

Material/technique: porcelain

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.3699

Not on display

Add to portfolio

If you wish to reproduce this image, please submit an image request

Images

Label texts

Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU

This potato-shaped flask was most likely produced in Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic) for export to the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. During this time, such novelty flasks became associated with Foust Distillery in York County Pennsylvania, which closed during the American Prohibition. Because of its highly vivid details, such as the intricate representation of the vegetable’s skin, people commonly used objects like this to drink alcohol inconspicuously, or for decorative purposes.