Found Object Bottle Construction
Assemblage / Mixed Media • Anonymous; Outsider Artist or Vernacular craftsperson.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Folk Art / Found Object Art / Minimalism.
Medium & Technique
Glass bottle, plastic screw-cap, and unidentified internal substance (likely gesso, paint residue, or organic sediment). The technique involves the layering of materials within a vessel, a form of ready-made or found-object art.
Creation Period
Late 20th to Early 21st Century (based on the mold-blown glass design and plastic ribbing of the cap).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 3 - 4 inches in height; vertical/portrait orientation.
Subject Description
The piece consists of a small, clear glass bottle with an hourglass profile, filled with a white, crusty substance that has adhered to the inner walls, creating a marbled or topographical visual effect. It sits atop a multicolored crocheted textile, creating an accidental juxtaposition of domestic texture and industrial geometry.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; the object shows signs of heavy use and age, including grime on the cap and residue on the exterior glass.
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $25 USD (Decorative/Sentimental value).
Auction Estimate
$10 - $50 USD (if part of a larger folk art collection).
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a domestic household discard or a found object repurposed as a container.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the 'Ready-made' concept pioneered by Marcel Duchamp, where a mundane utilitarian object is recontextualized. It also touches on the 'Aesthetics of Decay' and Outsider Art where common materials are preserved for their visual textures.
Notable Features
The distinctive hourglass shape of the bottle and the pinkish-beige plastic cap contrast with the stark white internal residue, creating a naturally occurring abstract composition.
Condition Issues
Accumulated dirt on the screw-cap ridges, possible chemical degradation of the internal substance, and surface scratches on the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Gentle cleaning of the glass exterior with a microfiber cloth; avoid opening the cap to prevent oxidation; keep away from direct UV light to prevent further discoloration of the internal material.