item details
NameRichard Hadlee liquor bottle
ProductionRegal China Corporation; manufacturer(s); 1985; United States
Classificationbottles
Materialsceramic, glaze, plastic
DimensionsOverall: 290mm (width), 332mm (height), 130mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH025306
Credit lineAcquired, 2018
Overview
This liquor bottle or decanter is in the shape and likeness of Sir Richard Hadlee (born 1951, New Zealand), one of the greatest cricketers of the twentieth century. He was the first bowler in the history of cricket to reach 400 test wickets (NZ v India, Lancaster Park, Christchurch, 4 February 1990).
Hadlee was an early proponent of sports promotion, and used his image and reputation to sell products and raise funds. The bottle also demonstrates the close and lucrative relationship between alcohol sponsorship and sport which intensified in the 1980s and 1990s.
The bottle features Hadlee wearing the now iconic biege uniform, first worn by the New Zealand cricket team in 1980.