Virol Bone Marrow Jar Value Guide

The Virol Bone Marrow Jar is a quintessential piece of Edwardian social history, originally containing a nutrient-dense supplement of bone marrow, malt, and eggs. These cream-colored stoneware vessels are highly collectible today due to their distinct advertising typography and their status as a staple find for British bottle diggers.

What Is Virol Bone Marrow Jar Worth?

The typical price range for Virol Bone Marrow Jar is $65 - $70 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the transfer print, as faded or blurred lettering significantly reduces the $65-$70 market value.
• Structural integrity, specifically the absence of 'spider cracks' or chips often found in excavated stoneware.
• The presence of original surface glaze luster, which can be dulled by acidic soil if the jar was recovered from a rubbish heap.
• Size variations, as Virol jars were produced in multiple capacities for different retail price points.

How to Identify Virol Bone Marrow Jar?

• Look for the characteristic cream-colored ironstone or stoneware body typical of early 20th-century British manufacturing.
• Check for the bold, black transfer-printed 'VIROL' branding prominently displayed on the side of the jar.
• Verify the cylindrical shape and thick rim, which were designed to hold a parchment or foil seal during the 1900-1920 era.
• Examine the base for potential potter's marks, though many authentic examples remain unmarked.

History of Virol Bone Marrow Jar

Virol was a popular nutrient-dense supplement in Britain during the early 20th century, primarily marketed for children and invalids. These jars were originally sold containing a mixture of bone marrow, malt extract, and eggs. Because they were mass-produced and durable, many were discarded in domestic rubbish heaps, making them common but beloved finds for bottle diggers today.