Bottle, Crucifixion bottle (God bottle)
Shared by
Te Hikoi Museum
This style of bottle craftsmanship is called a Crucifixion Bottle. It depicts objects related to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, including the cross and numerous tools such as a ladder and axe. The items inside the bottle are made of wood and are preserved in a combination of water and oil. This particular bottle is unique as most Crucifixion Bottles only use oil. Using a combination of water and oil means that the contents of the bottles are far more easily viewed through the glass. It is possible that this bottle may have a connection to Norwegian Sail craft. A little more about Crucifixion Bottles: Crucifixion Bottles originate from Germany and Eastern Europe. The main feature of the bottle is always a cross and they feature commonalities including various tools detailed in accounts of the crucifixion; ladders, a spear, a long stick with a sponge at the end, hammer, nails and sometimes a shovel. More elaborate bottles can even include the cock that crowed when St Peter denied Christ three times, a flail, dice representing the soldiers’ guards and/or the two thieves with no cross. Related to Catholicism, bottles were spread through diaspora from Ireland and the Slavic regions of Europe.
Ngā whakamārama
Details
-
Title
Bottle, Crucifixion bottle (God bottle)
-
Maker
Unknown maker
-
Date made
Unknown
-
Subject
Art and Design, Religion and Belief
-
Additional information
processed materials, glass organic, vegetal, bark, processed materials, cork organic, vegetal, wood inorganic, water organic, oil, h 310 mm x w 80 mm x d 270 mm
-
Rights
Attribution - Non-commercial (cc)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ -
View source record for this item
Kei hea tēnei taonga?
Where is this item held?
-
Additional information including high resolution images may be available.
-
Location
170-172 Palmerston Street, Riverton, Southland
-
Website
Whare taonga | Organisation
Te Hikoi Museum
Ngā here ki runga i ngā whakaahua o tēnei taonga?
What can you do with images of this item?
-
You must check with Te Hikoi Museum to confirm terms of use and any attribution requirements, but this is our understanding:
-
Use for private study, research, criticism, review, or education
NZ Copyright law allows for the use of copyrighted works in specific circumstances. Consider what you can do under copyright law.
-
Share
You can share this image without further permission.
-
Modify or remix
You can modify, remix or add to this image without further permission.
-
Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ
Tāpirihia he kōrero anō
Improve this record
-
Can you help us? Share names, details and stories to help enrich the collection.