Antique early 20th century art nouveau Mackintosh toffee de luxe favourites tin. This lovely tin screams art nouveau!!! Some age related wear, but remarkable condition for year.
-
12 cm wide 10 cm depth 3 cm tall
-
Mackintosh toffee
History began in Halifax in 1890 when John and Violet Mackintosh opened a pastry shop and developed a new toffee by blending brittle English toffee with soft American caramel, creating "Mackintosh's Celebrated Toffee". The recipe's success led to the formation of the manufacturing company John Mackintosh Ltd. in 1899, which expanded rapidly, eventually merging with Rowntree's in 1969 to form Rowntree Mackintosh, before the company was taken over by Nestlé.
The Beginning (1890s)
In 1890, John and Violet Mackintosh opened a pastry shop in Halifax.
Violet created the revolutionary "Mackintosh's Celebrated Toffee" by combining hard English toffee with soft American caramel, a recipe that was an instant hit.
The new toffee was so popular that it sold out on its first day, and demand grew, leading to the formation of John Mackintosh Ltd. in 1899.
Expansion and Growth
The business expanded rapidly, with factories built and toffee being exported worldwide by 1903.
Chocolate production began in 1912.
In 1936, Mackintosh's launched the iconic Quality Street selection.
Following John Mackintosh's death in 1920, his son Harold took over and continued the company's success.
Merger and Later Years
In 1969, Mackintosh's merged with rival Rowntree's to become Rowntree Mackintosh.
The company was eventually taken over by Nestlé.
 
 
Art Nouveau was an international style of decorative design and architecture that flourished from the 1880s to the First World War (around 1910), aiming to create a modern style free from historical imitation. Its origins lie in the British Arts and Crafts Movement, reacting against industrialization and emphasizing craftsmanship and organic, natural forms inspired by botany and deep-sea organisms. Characterized by flowing, "whiplash" lines, asymmetry, and the integration of structure and decoration, the style is seen in architecture, furniture, jewelry, glass, and posters, unified by the concept of a "total work of art".
Origins and Influences
Arts and Crafts Movement:
Art Nouveau grew out of the Arts and Crafts movement, which championed traditional craftsmanship and the rejection of industrial mass production.
Nature:
The style drew heavily on natural forms, including plants, flowers, insects, and animals, often using sinuous, organic lines.
Japanese Prints:
Japanese woodblock prints influenced the style's use of flat, monochromatic areas and asymmetrical compositions.
Technology:
Emerging technologies, particularly in metalwork and glassmaking, influenced designs and allowed for new forms and rich colors.
Key Characteristics
Organic, Flowing Lines:
The style is known for its long, sinuous, and "whiplash" curves, derived from natural forms.
Integration of Art and Craft:
A key goal was to unite fine art with applied arts and everyday objects, creating a cohesive "total work of art".
Asymmetry and Geometric Shapes:
Art Nouveau incorporates asymmetrical compositions and uses geometric shapes in its designs.
Naturalistic Motifs:
Decorative elements often include botanical forms, flowing hair, and stylized figures of women, animals, and insects.
International Spread and Other Names
Art Nouveau emerged in several countries under different names, though it shared broadly similar characteristics.
France: The style is named after the Parisian gallery L'Art Nouveau (New Art), owned by Siegfried Bing.
Germany: Known as Jugendstil.
Austria: Called Sezessionstil.
Italy: Known as Stile Floreale or Stile Liberty.
Spain: Called Modernismo.
Peak and Decline
The movement reached its peak around the turn of the 20th century and was largely exhausted by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
It was eventually replaced by Art Deco and Modernism in the 1920s.
Legacy
Art Nouveau is remembered for its distinctive decorative elements and its attempt to create a contemporary style.
The style began to receive renewed critical attention in the late 1960s, with major exhibitions highlighting its enduring artistic and design importance.