The nineteenth century witnessed an explosion in the use of glass as a material from which
containers and tableware were made. No longer confined to the packaging and consuming
of liquids, a wealth of products were packaged in branded and patented containers. This
article presents an initial analysis of glass recovered from archaeological investigations at the
Inquisitor's Palace, Vittoriosa, which in the second half of the nineteenth century was an army
mess house and officers' quarters. Focusing on function, key groups of glass finds are described.
Where possible, brands and manufacturers are contextualised through complementary
documentary sources, providing a broader focus and relevance to the material. From baby food
jars to hard liquor bottles, the glass finds present a picture of daily life that stretches beyond
typical views of military life and highlights the importance of glass finds to understanding
post-medieval contexts.peer-reviewe
