Antique Multilingual Poison Bottle – “POISON / GIFT / VELENO” – Hexagonal Olive-Green Glass – c.1900–1915 Italian / European Apothecary
 
Description:
A rare and highly collectible antique poison bottle featuring trilingual embossed warnings: POISON (English), GIFT (German), and VELENO (Italian). This distinctive multilingual labelling reflects early 20th-century European pharmaceutical trade, and bottles with this combination are strongly associated with Italian apothecary supply houses from around 1890–1920, most commonly c.1900–1915.
The bottle is made from deep olive-green glass, a colour intentionally chosen for poison identification, and formed in a hexagonal body with sharply defined panels. Embossed skull-and-crossbones motifs sit alongside the text, giving an unmistakable tactile warning typical of early poison packaging. The tooled lip and moulded base mark (B 506 over 100 in a diamond) are consistent with small to mid-scale European glassworks prior to the widespread adoption of fully automated Owens machines.
This is a prime example of early multilingual pharmaceutical glass — scarce, visually striking, and ideal for collectors of apothecary antiques, poison bottles, or early European medical history.
 
Features:
• Era: c.1900–1915
• Likely Origin: Italy (Northern Italy – Venice/Piedmont region) or broader European continental production
• Colour: Deep olive-green
• Embossing: “POISON / GIFT / VELENO” + skull & crossbones
• Shape: Hexagonal with tapered shoulder
• Height approx.: ~5.5–6 inches (see ruler in photos)
• Base Markings: Diamond with B 506 / 100
• Fire-polished / tooled lip
• Excellent display colour and early apothecary form
 
Construction / Materials:
• Press-moulded glass with hand-finished lip
• Thick walls, strong definition to embossed lettering
• Designed for hazardous chemical storage in the early 20th century
• Multilingual labelling intended to prevent accidental ingestion across European markets
 
Condition:
Very good antique condition with expected light age marks. No cracks, chips, or structural damage observed. Glass remains clean with strong embossing and excellent colour. Minor wear consistent with being over a century old.
 
Type:
Antique multilingual poison bottle – early European apothecary / pharmaceutical collectible.
A rare and visually striking poison bottle with strong embossing, multilingual warnings, and that iconic olive-green glow — an exceptional addition to any antique apothecary, early medical, or poison bottle collection.