Name/Title
Figural Children's Shampoo Bottle in the Shape of a Cartoon DuckEntry/Object ID
2025.1.15Description
Dark-green molded-plastic novelty shampoo bottle in the form of a cartoon duckling wearing a hat, with the screw cap forming the crown of the hat.
A figural plastic bottle molded in the shape of a standing/seated cartoon duckling, finished in glossy dark green. The duck has a large rounded head with a prominent flat beak, and a brimmed hat or cap; the body tapers down to a flared base on which the figure stands. The bottle's neck is concealed at the top of the duck's hat, where a white ribbed plastic screw cap forms the crown of the hat (and serves as the closure). The plastic appears to be a molded polyethylene or similar thermoplastic.Use
Used and later refilled many times with Fiesta shampoo in the Cabrera Arús household.Context
It was bought at a state store in the 1980s. Owner refilled it later with the "Fiesta" shampoo sold at state stores.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collectionAcquisition
Accession
2025.1Source (if not Accessioned)
María A. Cabrera ArúsDimensions
Height
16 cmWidth
5 cmDepth
9 cmMaterials
Material
PlasticMaterial Notes
Blow-molded or injection-blow-molded figural plastic bottle; injection-molded screw capCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
María A. Cabrera Arús, María R. Cabrera ArúsNotes
usedPerson or Organization
María A. Arús CaraballoNotes
purchasedRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaResearch Notes
Notes
Figural/novelty bottles shaped like animals or cartoon characters were a common form of packaging for children's shampoos and bubble baths internationally from the mid-twentieth century onward — the playful shape was both a marketing device and an incentive for children at bath time. The duck (often a duckling) is one of the most common bath-time figural subjects. The bottle's stylized cartoon duck wearing a hat broadly recalls the Donald Duck/sailor-duck visual tradition.
Emptied, then refilled by its owner with Fiesta brand shampoo — i.e., the attractive figural bottle was kept and reused as a refillable container.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
May 3, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 14, 2026
