This summer at the Galleria Gottardo in Lugano, Switzerland there took place an unusual exhibition. Unusual for several reasons: That an exhibition should be devoted solely to the decorated tin box. That the said exhibition should take place in an art gallery. That the tin box should be looked upon as an art object.

Right: Rowntree Cocoa Works Pincushion.


It is a sad fact that in many galleries and museums across the world the tin box is considered unworthy of interest, either aesthetically or academically. The tendency is to dismiss them as 'commercial art', at best they might receive a place in a social history gallery if there is a local connection. Yet this humble object, can, by it's form and decoration tell us more about the tastes and aspirations of a past people than any oil painting or marble bust. For, by it's very nature it is of the people and for the people, it appeals to the masses and therein lays it's downfall intellectual snobbery will not allow a mass produced object to be art in it's own right.

Left: Peek Frean & Co Orchid Drum.


The Galleria Gottardo has begun to redress the balance with an exhibition of tins, belonging to a private collector, entitled simply 'La Scatola di Latta' (The Tin Box). Arranged by theme the exhibition examines the objects in terms of decoration by grouping together figural tins, Swiss tins, Art Nouveau tins etc etc. Thus, creating a dialogue between the object and the spectator who can see the development of style and taste throughout 150 years of tin box manufacture.

Right: F Wollf & Sohn Karlsruhe, Baden.


The attention to detail in the exhibition even extends to the specially made cabinets to display the tins. Being made of glass and curved metal they simulate the objects they display.

A special mention must be made of the exhibition catalogue. 384 pages of beautiful colour photographs allow the tin boxes to speak for themselves. Short essays on each style of tin exhibited and a brief description of each tin furnish additional historical and technical information. Written in 3 languages the catalogue should become a standard work for collectors in Europe and America.

Left: Fredc Steinfels Poudre de Savon shop tin.



INDEX HOME