DUPRS_0040 Gulden's Mustard Bottle

DUPRS_0040 Gulden's Mustard Bottle

Gulden's Mustard Bottle

The artifact includes various fragments of partially intact clear glass bottles. Although they are fragmented artifacts, most of the bottle is intact. The fragments suggest that the original artifact was not perfectly cylindrical but rather smallest in diameter at the top and bottom and thickest in the middle. The glass is unscathed and clear with very few blemishes. There is partial lettering, and all of the letters on the bottle are clearly readable. These letters are not painted on; they are formed into the glass. Some of the partial lettering varies among the various fragments. The bottom of the different fragments include the phrases “Gulden’s Mustard,” and some of the fragments include the word “Patent.” Also, some fragments include different maker's marks at the bottom of the glass. Some of these fragments say “no. 6” or “bottle 4.” Also, on the front of the glass, some fragments say “Chas Gulden New York,” “Charles Gulden New York,” or “Cap. 8 Net Wt. New York.” Many of these fragments suggest different models or changes to the artifact manufacturing over time. The fragments are approximately 6cm in diameter. The fragments measure 7cm in height, however, it does not seem that the fully intact bottle would be more than a few centimeters taller than the fragment. Both the bottom and sides of the bottle were approximately .4cm thick.

Gulden's Mustard

Selective Surface collection, east Stanley Park, Historic Chatham Township (modern Summit, New Jersey)

Drew University, Department of Anthropology, Drew University Passaic River Survey

The lettering on this artifact clearly states the words "Gulden:Chase" with "New York" written underneath. The shape and size of the artifact are very similar to that of mustard bottles that were manufactured between the 1890s and the 1920s. There are several documented photographs of bottles also manufactured by Gulden during these times that have the same barrel design as the artifact found also the Passaic River. These bottles are quite bulbous and are meant specifically for mustard. Their bulbous structure allows for easy extraction of the sauce-like condiment. This artifact appears to be a mustard bottle manufactured between 1850 and 1930. The first prototype for this bottle was patented in 1845 and slight variations of the barrel shape were made until the company converted to plastic bottles in the late 20th century.

Juliet LaVigne (2020)
Ciara Lyons (2021)

Lambert, Tim. A History of Condiments. http:www.localhistories.org/condiments.html
Society for Historical Archaeology, identifying bottles: http://www.sha.org/bottle/food.htm#Barrel%20mustard
https://sha.org/bottle/Typing/food/guldenad.jpg

https://www.britannica.com/plant/mustard

https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/2984238

https://sha.org/bottle/bases.htm

Glass

Before the invention of modern food preservatives and fixtures such as refrigerators, spices, sauces, and condiments were almost necessary for eating food. Salt, the first condiment widely used, was used to mask the taste of meat that was less than fresh. Evidence of mustard use dates back to 3000 BC from Indian and Sumerian texts. There is mention of the mustard plant surviving the ancient Greek and Roman era. Additionally, the mustard plant is also mentioned in the Bible. It is difficult to interpret the cultural meaning of a condiment like mustard during the early 20th century. However, the rise in the use of mustard in the 20th century can be attributed to world trade. Given this good housekeeping advertisement from 1922, it seems that Gulden's Mustard was advertised as a condiment to be used in upper-class homes. The advertisement shows a hefty steak on top of expensive china with bright silverware and Gulden's Mustard on the side to make the perfect meal. This shows that mustard was a higher class condiment and if you could afford it, it showed status. The advertisement is trying to make people think that they are fancy and higher-class if they buy Gulden's mustard. They want to show that the food will taste better, like high-class food.

Additionally, Gulden’s mustard bottles vary in writing. Some bottles include “no. 6” or “bottle 4” on the bottom of the glass bottle. These various writings on the mustard bottles represent maker's marks, and these markings could illustrate a bottle’s style, manufacturing date, or factory location. An interesting find was a statement that Gulden supposedly stated to his brother. Gulden said: “Do you think it would help if we were to attach a spoon to each bottle of No. 6, no extra charge?" However, maker’s marks usually represent the glassmaker or manufacturer of the bottle.