[H]8.7cm __[L]3.0cm __[W]2.0cm __[Th] __[Diam]2.4cm (Top of lip)
This pharmaceutical bottle, with a rectangular base and body, is potentially made from English lead, patent bottle glass. It is colourless, with iridescence and signs of surface deterioration throughout. The bottle has slightly rounded shoulders that slope towards the corners and edges, and it has a cylindrical neck protruding from the top. The bottle has a flanged lip that is fairly thin and flares outwards horizontally at the bottle opening. A moderate portion of the lip is chipped off. The two wider sides of the bottle appear to curve inwards slightly near the shoulders, looking as if either side of the bottle was pinched inwards. The bottle is embossed on all four sides, beginning with "GENUINE" on one of the thinner sides and wrapping around the other three with "MACASSAR OIL // FOR THE // HAIR." The base of the bottle is slightly concave.
Macassar oil became a highly popular hair product following its invention by a London barber, Alexander Rowland, in 1783. It was made from a mixture of oils and fragrant ingredients claimed to be from the island of Macassar. The product was advertised as a necessary hair product for everyone, though frequently in terms of men's slicked back hairstyles and beards. "Macassar Oil" was trademarked in 1888. This bottle does not specify whether it is Rowland's brand of oil, but if not, it would certainly have been attempting to emulate his product. It is dated between 1744 and 1820. Pieces of cloth draped over the backs and arms of furniture originate from the issue of macassar oil transferring from hair to upholstery, and are called "antimacassars". They could also be found on the chairs of places like movie theatres and on public transportation, where modern versions are still around today.
