Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a captivating pair of early American utilitarian aqua glass vessels, each telling a distinct story of early industrial design. The taller bottle is a heavy chemical or apothecary jar featuring its original ground glass stopper and an embossed base for the historic Grasselli Chemical Company.
Story
Founded in 1839, Grasselli supplied chemicals that fueled the American Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, the Sparkletts bottle features an early 'Telephone Private Exchange' number on its base, a relic from the dawn of home delivery.
Maker / Origin
The Grasselli Chemical Company was founded by Eugene Grasselli in 1839 in Cincinnati, later moving to Cleveland where it grew into a massive chemical empire before being acquired by DuPont in 1928. Sparkletts was established in Los Angeles in 1925, quickly becoming an iconic West Coast brand famous for its distinctive delivery trucks and grid-patterned glass bottles.
Condition & Value
Both bottles appear to be in good antique condition with typical light surface scratching, minor dirt, and interior residue consistent with age and burial or storage. The Grasselli jar retains its original ground glass stopper, which shows minor flea bites around the edges.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.