Tobacco boxes are not only functional, they also look beautiful. You can buy vintage and antique tobacco boxes on websites such as 1stDibs. Depending on the style, you can purchase boxes from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. Art Deco-designed tobacco boxes are very popular. Manufacturers such as Asprey International Limited, Cartier, and Louis Kuppenheim created beautiful boxes. So, if you’re looking for a special gift or are just curious about the history of tobacco boxes, here are some interesting facts about the genre.
Art Deco
There are several types of Art Deco tobacco boxes. Each has its own special characteristics. A very popular example is the Tiffany & Co. rectangular box with an unlined dark green faux lid and a large stylized cylindrical button. These boxes are incredibly versatile. Some of these tobacco boxes even have the lid tipped sideways. A few other types are similar but may be even more difficult to spot. A cigarette box of this style may be one of the most attractive pieces in your home.
Tobacco packaging are beautiful objects in and of themselves. Tobacco was a luxury, and this needed a convenient way to carry it. Tobacco boxes were first produced in the Netherlands and were sold all over Europe. As tobacco became cheaper, the size of these boxes increased. Many artists created beautiful Art Deco tobacco boxes during the era. Some of these artists included Louis Kuppenheim and Asprey International Limited.
Tobacco boxes aren’t as common in art as pipes are, but they are often featured in paintings and sculptures. For example, Claezs’ A Still Life with a Berkemeier, Matches and Clay Pipes depicts the lid of a tobacco box with the life of Samson painted on its base. This tin is in excellent condition. If you’re looking to make your own Art Deco tobacco box, check out our selection of Antique Tobacco Boxes
As with any other antique or vintage item, tobacco boxes can make for beautiful pieces of art. A great example of Art Deco packaging is a box from the 18th century made by a seaman. Made of copper and brass, this box has no maker’s mark, but it’s still an interesting piece of art. Moreover, you can always find a replica of this type of tobacco box if you want to purchase it.
In addition to tobacco boxes depicting famous people, many boxes were used for religious purposes. A brass box depicting the twelve apostles with each holding an attribute is a fine example of Art Deco tobacco boxes. It’s also worth noting that a brass box depicts Matthew as an angel. Matthew, for example, is the first gospel author. Other symbols that have been used for tobacco boxes include the Virgin Mary, Jesus, a swan, and the Virgin Mary.
While the art deco designs of cigarette boxes are beautiful, the designs used to promote cigarettes aren’t necessarily the most effective. The tobacco industry spends a lot of money on advertising, and increased advertising could encourage smokers to buy a multipack instead of a carton. This could be a good idea as smokers may be willing to pay more for a tobacco box. Therefore, the Art Deco style is worth considering.
Victorian
These antique Victorian tobacco boxes feature a plain oval shape with a rounded underside. The upper portion is adorned with a scrolling leaf design with tiered scalloped borders. The box is carved of oak and measures 38cm in diameter and 25cm high. It retains the original sprung flush hinged hallmarked cover. The cover incorporates a shaped lozenge cartouche in the centre. Gilding adorns the interior.
Antique Victorian tobacco boxes often bear an EXCISE STAMP. This box features a portrait of Queen Victoria, profile facing left. The box is adorned with wonderful engraving and scrollwork. The skeleton key is missing, but the box is otherwise in good condition. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the history of cigarettes and cigars. Here are a few examples of antique Victorian tobacco boxes:
Art Nouveau
These antique silver plated Art Nouveau tobacco boxes feature a repousse girl riding a unicycle with wings and a cherub holding flowers. The box is hand-engraved by Emile Dropsy, a renowned French engraver born in 1858. The box is engraved with a superimposed mountain cock on the center lid, along with chased ducks and a fox. The box has worn, but still retains some of its original beauty.
There are two distinct styles of Art Nouveau. The first is known for its elegant, flowing forms and the other for its elegant, sweeping curves. The second is known as the “whiplash curve,” a deep, narrow parabola that can be seen in chair arms, cabinetry, and mirror frames. Both styles are influenced by Japanese art prints, which feature soft, organic shapes and colors. The style was quickly spread throughout Europe, and artists like Aubrey Beardsley, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, and Louise Bourgeois were influenced by the art of Japanese culture.
