Matchbox Label
20th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Indian matchbox covers form part of India’s vibrant popular visual culture. These small boxes, sold for a few pence, are bold and colourful, some simple and naïve, others more complex and detailed. The images range from gods and goddesses, women, flowers, fruits, monuments, transport, tools, consumer goods and more. Successful covers are continuously copied and there can be endless variations of one particular image produced by rival companies. Many covers have a ‘retro’ feel about them because of this copying process, this also makes them difficult to date. Despite their ephemeral nature, they can convey historical, political and social information. Matchbox art dates back to the 1920s when India began producing its own matches from factories in Calcutta in Bengal and Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Prior to this, matches were imported from Europe, mainly Sweden, and Japan. Early images reflect themes of nationalism while more recent images include planes, motorcycles and trucks.
The key as an icon on matchbox labels is popular both within India and other countries, such as Sweden where it arguably originated.
The key as an icon on matchbox labels is popular both within India and other countries, such as Sweden where it arguably originated.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Offset printed paper |
Brief description | Matchbox label for ‘Locker Wax Matches’, Muthusamypuram, India, 20th century |
Physical description | Matchbox label for ‘Locker Wax Matches’, there is a circular lock in the centre of the image within which are two red keys, all on a yellow ground, there is a thin black border surrounding the design, the word ‘Locker’ (in white on a red banner), is above the key, while ‘Wax Matches’ (in red) are on the left, ‘50’s Price 25 Ps’ (paise) (in red) on the right, and ‘Rajakumar Matchworks N. Muthusamypuram’ (in white text on a black panel) are below. |
Dimensions |
|
Content description | Matchbox label depicting a lock and keys |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Indian matchbox covers form part of India’s vibrant popular visual culture. These small boxes, sold for a few pence, are bold and colourful, some simple and naïve, others more complex and detailed. The images range from gods and goddesses, women, flowers, fruits, monuments, transport, tools, consumer goods and more. Successful covers are continuously copied and there can be endless variations of one particular image produced by rival companies. Many covers have a ‘retro’ feel about them because of this copying process, this also makes them difficult to date. Despite their ephemeral nature, they can convey historical, political and social information. Matchbox art dates back to the 1920s when India began producing its own matches from factories in Calcutta in Bengal and Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Prior to this, matches were imported from Europe, mainly Sweden, and Japan. Early images reflect themes of nationalism while more recent images include planes, motorcycles and trucks. The key as an icon on matchbox labels is popular both within India and other countries, such as Sweden where it arguably originated. |
Collection | |
Accession number | IS.15-2012 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | December 17, 2012 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON