Antique Edwardian Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Tin with Portrait Lid | c.1905–1915
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A beautifully decorative antique Edwardian biscuit tin produced by the celebrated British maker Huntley & Palmers, renowned worldwide for their iconic tins and luxury biscuit packaging.
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Dating to the early 20th century (circa 1905–1915), this charming round tin features an elegant portrait of a fashionable Edwardian lady set into the lid, framed by richly embossed scrollwork, birds and floral motifs. The design is both romantic and highly decorative, reflecting the era when biscuit tins were intended to be treasured and reused long after their contents were enjoyed.
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✧ Design & Detail
The lid showcases a classical-style portrait inspired by 18th-century aristocratic imagery — a popular Edwardian motif — surrounded by ornate raised decoration in warm gilt and bronze tones. The sides of the tin are deeply embossed with flowing foliage, birds and repeating borders, giving the piece wonderful texture and visual depth.
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The interior retains its original gold-washed finish, and the base is clearly stamped:
“HUNTLEY & PALMERS
BISCUITS
READING, HUYTON (LIVERPOOL)
& LONDON, ENGLAND”
This mark firmly dates the tin to the period shortly after the opening of the Huyton factory in 1905.
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✧ Condition
Good antique condition overall, with honest age-related wear throughout:
Surface rubbing and scratches consistent with over a century of life
Gentle wear to the printed portrait beneath the original varnish
No splits or structural damage
All wear is commensurate with age and adds to the tin’s authentic antique character.
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✧ Uses & Display
Originally made to hold luxury biscuits, tins like this were often repurposed for:
Sewing or needlework
Letters and keepsakes
Vanity or dressing-table storage
Today, it makes a wonderful decorative object for a shelf, coffee table, dressing room or vintage-inspired interior, as well as a highly collectible piece of British advertising history.
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✧ Why We Love It
Genuine Edwardian-era Huntley & Palmers tin
Beautiful portrait lid with ornate embossed surround
Clearly stamped base with multiple factory locations
Warm, aged patina with strong decorative appeal
Equally suited to collectors or interior styling
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📏 Approximate Dimensions
Diameter: approx. 16–18 cm
Height: approx. 6–7 cm
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A lovely example of an early 20th-century Huntley & Palmers tin — decorative, collectible and increasingly hard to find in this condition.