Antique Stoneware Beer Bottle | D. Pettifor & Sons Steam Brewery

- Height: 16.4 cm
- Diameter: 6.8 cm

- Very Good - In very good antique condition. No cracks or chips noted.
- Minor age-related glaze imperfections and surface wear consistent with its age.
- The printed stamp remains bold and legible. The glaze has a rich sheen and attractive patina.

1. Historical Significance:
- D. Pettifor & Sons operated a steam-powered brewery in Ansty, a small village near Leicester.
- The term "Steam Brewery" typically refers to the Victorian-era shift in brewery operations, where steam engines powered machinery, allowing for more efficient production.
- These small regional breweries were once dotted across England, often serving their local towns and inns.
- By the early 20th century, many were absorbed into larger companies or closed as industrial brewing expanded.

2. Material & Technique:
- Salt-glazed stoneware, a durable ceramic finish, was commonly used for beverage bottles from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.
- This bottle features a two-tone glaze and an applied black transfer mark.
- The bottle was manufactured by Pearson's of Chesterfield, a well-known pottery company established in 1810, which produced stoneware bottles during that era.

3. Typography & Markings:
- The oval transfer reads:
D. Pettifor & Sons
Steam Brewery
Ansty near Leicester
– all clearly legible, adding to its display and collector appeal.

4. Uses & Versatility
- Decorative display for a vintage bar or shelf
- Conversation piece in a man cave, pub, or rustic kitchen
- Collectible breweriana or antique stoneware item

5. Use & Closure:
- Originally sealed with a cork or internal stopper, bottles like this were used for storing and transporting beer or ginger beer.
- Their robust construction made them ideal for re-use.