Italian Tin Boxes : 1885-1950

Exploring the world of tin boxes - usually chromolithographed for advertising purposes - is like taking a journey across the universe, a journey to a different time and a boundless space, with endless variety, applications, imagination and creativity. This book traces the history of tin boxes in Italy from their origins to their spread across the various industry sectors.

We present a selection of over 500 boxes produced between 1885 and the post-war period. Alongside anonymous designers whose decorations draw on the most diverse sources for inspiration and references, we find the names of great poster artists such as Cappiello, Mauzan, Dudovich, Golia and Sepo, who transpose their creations onto the surface of tins, marking the early history of this style of product packaging. Text in English and Italian.