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WHALE SPERMACETI BOTTLE
Origin: Likely Spain or Latin America
Date: Late 19th–early 20th century
Materials: Amber glass, paper label, cork stopper (missing or replaced)
Dimensions: 13 x 7 cm
Description:
Amber glass bottle reading "Esperma de Ballena" ("Whale Spermaceti" in Spanish). Spermaceti, a waxy substance obtained from the head cavity of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), was prized for its use in high-quality candles, ointments, cosmetics, and lubricants. The bottle's compact form and secure closure suggest it was intended for medicinal or cosmetic storage, protecting its contents from light exposure.
Historical Note:
During the 19th century, spermaceti was a valuable commodity in global trade, harvested primarily by whaling fleets from the United States, Europe, and Japan. By the early 20th century, synthetic alternatives began replacing whale-derived products, but labeled bottles such as this remain as artifacts of the once-flourishing whaling industry and its role in domestic, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
Origin: Likely Spain or Latin America
Date: Late 19th–early 20th century
Materials: Amber glass, paper label, cork stopper (missing or replaced)
Dimensions: 13 x 7 cm
Description:
Amber glass bottle reading "Esperma de Ballena" ("Whale Spermaceti" in Spanish). Spermaceti, a waxy substance obtained from the head cavity of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), was prized for its use in high-quality candles, ointments, cosmetics, and lubricants. The bottle's compact form and secure closure suggest it was intended for medicinal or cosmetic storage, protecting its contents from light exposure.
Historical Note:
During the 19th century, spermaceti was a valuable commodity in global trade, harvested primarily by whaling fleets from the United States, Europe, and Japan. By the early 20th century, synthetic alternatives began replacing whale-derived products, but labeled bottles such as this remain as artifacts of the once-flourishing whaling industry and its role in domestic, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
