Description:Grape storage bottle, hand blown glass, embossed with the words 'Copped Hall Grape storing bottle. Patent Applied for No.25693. Wm. Wood & Son Ltd. Wood Green'. Patent number gives date of pre-1916
Bunches of grapes were cut from the vine leaving a long stem. Each bunch was then put into the bottle filled with water, and placed at an angle on a rack. Stored in the dark and kept cool grapes could stay fresh for weeks, if not months. Charcoal was added to keep the water pure. From the late 18th century, it had been fashionable for wealthy households to provide fresh dessert grapes for their guests. Grapes were second only to pineapples in status. Grape growing tested the skills of the Head Gardener and each bunch had to be perfect.
From the Staffordshire County Museum collection.