A typical advertising accessory for Belle Époque café counters, this lithographed tin firebox was used to hold and light matches directly on the box. Its richly illustrated design, combining a female figure and a bottle of Amer Picon in an Art Nouveau style, makes it both a practical and aesthetically pleasing advertising medium. The ridges on the sides allowed for ignition, while the interior compartment held the matches for customers. An iconic object of bistro life at the turn of the 20th century.
✦ Origin: France ✦ Estimated period: Early 20th century ✦ Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 1 cm ✦ Material: Lithographed sheet metal ✦ Condition: Signs of wear consistent with age and internal oxidation, decoration clearly legible, traces of use consistent with its function
An authentic accessory from old-fashioned cafe counters, it will appeal to both vintage advertising enthusiasts and collectors of bistro memorabilia.
