Shreveport native to share unusual bottle collection at Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

Henrietta Wildsmith, Shreveport Times
·2 min read
Jameel Damlouji holds one of his Teakettle inkwell bottles from his large bottle collection on April 5, 2024.
Jameel Damlouji holds one of his Teakettle inkwell bottles from his large bottle collection on April 5, 2024.

Jameel Damlouji has been collecting old glass bottles for more than 50 years, which makes him a bit of an expert.

“There isn't a school you go to,” he said.

Instead, his expertise came from years of hunting, digging, buying and learning.

He was at an auction when he came across his first Teakettle inkwell bottle. For him, it stood out among everything else. Used in the mid 1800s, these unique shaped glass bottles, reminiscent of a tea kettle, were advertised as a superior ink well for the time. When he saw the high price of the opening bid, he was curious and wanted to learn more.

Years later, the other bottles that once dominated his collection have been sold off or moved to storage as he made room to showcases his Teakettles.

“I love my Teakettle inkwells because of their beauty, rarity and history,” he said.

A Teakettle inkwell bottle from the collection of Jameel Damlouji.
A Teakettle inkwell bottle from the collection of Jameel Damlouji.

The rarity of these bottles was one of the most appealing things to him. He knew that over time he could build an important collection, and today, with more than 80, he has.

“For these kinds of ink bottles, you can easily say I'm one of the top 10 collectors in the world, which makes me kind of an expert,” Damlouji said.

Damlouji will share his knowledge of these and other bottles during the upcoming Red River Crossroads Historical and Cultural Association’s local history program at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.

“Each year, RRCCA tries to get a local person who will present topics with historically ties to northwest Louisiana,” said RRCCA media manager Margaret John. “If you enjoy collecting and want to learn about bottle collecting and preservation, this free seminar is for you.”

In addition, he will talk about the work he has done as an officer with the Northwest Louisiana Archaeological Society and the efforts made to preserve artifacts from the Conly site.

Located along Loggy Bayou in western Bienville Parish, this site held an enormous number of artifacts that are approximately believed to be from 6200 to 5400 B.C.

“I'll be discussing the importance of the site and our community efforts to preserve artifacts from it,” he said.

Community volunteer, Val Davdson (left), with Jameel Damlouji (right) going through the Conly site artifacts at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.
Community volunteer, Val Davdson (left), with Jameel Damlouji (right) going through the Conly site artifacts at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.

Part of those efforts were the community volunteers that met at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, from late last summer through January of this year, shifting through artifacts. Some of what was recovered were projectile points, grinding and abrading stones, scrapers, antler handles and bone awls.

Damlouji will bring pictures, artifacts and bottles to the event for people to see.

“People attending this presentation will learn about local efforts to preserve an important archeological site,” he said.

IF YOU GO

Red River Crossroads Historical and Cultural Association’s annual meeting and local history program will be 2 to 4 p.m. April 21 at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, 3015 Greenwood Rd.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport native share bottle collection Louisiana State Exhibit Museum