A bottle seal from Exeter
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Seals were applied to glass wine bottles to indicate their owners. They are rare in excavations in Exeter and noticeably more common among the finds from the substantial houses of the Devon gentry in the surrounding countryside. The first dated Exeter bottle seals belong to the 1680s; this example marked ‘T Potter Exon (i.e. Exeter) 1690’ is among the earliest known. At this date all such bottles used in Exeter were brought by coastal trade from Bristol and London.
A glasshouse was established in the following year at Topsham. It lay close to the river Exe; the adjacent lane still bears the name Glasshouse Lane.
Acknowledgments: RAM Museum
 1690’ is among the earliest known. At this date all such bottles used in Exeter were brought by coastal trade from Bristol and London.
A glasshouse was established in the following year at Topsham. It lay close to the river Exe; the adjacent lane still bears the name Glasshouse Lane.)
