Bols Ballerina Bottle
Background
Lucas Bols B.V is the world’s oldest distillery brand, and the oldest active company of any kind in the Netherlands. It was established in 1575 on the outskirts of Amsterdam, and grew during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century into a large prosperous international company. The 19th century saw the company change hands several times, and during the first half of the 20th century Bols opened distilleries in countries around the world including the U.S, Spain, Canada, France, Poland, South Africa and Argentina.
Today the company’s headquarters remain in Amsterdam, and it remains one of the world’s leading producers of a wide range of spirits and liqueurs.
Bols ballerina bottles
The bottles were produced from 1957 until the late 1970s. Each bottle contains an internal glass dome, inside which a small model of a ballerina stands. When the bottle is set down, a mechanism activates and the ballerina dances whilst music plays in a similar manner to a traditional music box.
The 500ml bottles came in four variations, containing Apricot Brandy, Gold Liqueur, Triple Sec or Creme de Menthe. For each different liqueur, the colour of the ballerina’s dress could vary from red to white and the music played can either be the Skater’s Waltz or the Blue Danube.
This Bottle is a superb example, the still sealed liquor content is at a very high level showing no seepage. The ballerina dances to the still sweet Le Bleu Danube like the day she was made. All the original labels are intact and elegantly show off their half century age with some browning. This is a magical item from a bygone era and will bring a smile to anyone's face.