Antique 1927 Huntley and Palmer's biscuit tin in the form of Indian wooden box
Antique 1927 Huntley and Palmer's biscuit tin in the form of Indian wooden box some age related wear
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25 cm wide
18 cm depth
10 cm tall
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Antique Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Tin – Embossed Decorative Box (late 19th / early 20th century)
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Solid, heavy example of an early Huntley & Palmers biscuit tin, made when tins were meant to be reused, not thrown away.
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Rectangular form with a stepped, pyramidal lid. All sides are decorated with deep embossed classical floral and foliate panels, with repeating geometric borders. The lid panels are also embossed and framed with fine patterned bands. Original hinged lid and small metal catch to the front.
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Inside is plain tinplate with clear age wear, surface oxidation and rubbing consistent with long use. No holes, splits or structural damage. Lid opens and closes properly and sits well. Decoration remains clear and crisp. Exterior shows honest wear, dulling and rubbing to the darker finish – exactly what you want to see on a genuine early tin.
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The interior base is faintly stamped “Huntley & Palmers Biscuits, Reading & London”, now lightly worn but still readable in the right light. No later repainting or restoration.
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A proper piece of Victorian / Edwardian commercial packaging, made to be kept and reused as a household storage box once the biscuits were gone.
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Condition Uncleaned. General surface wear, patina and oxidation throughout. No major dents. Hinges and catch sound. Please study photographs.
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Approximate period Late 1800s to early 1900s.
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Use Originally a biscuit tin. Now ideal for documents, letters, sewing items, desk storage or display.
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Short history – Huntley & Palmers
Huntley & Palmers were founded in Reading in 1822 and grew into the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world by the late 19th century. Their success wasn’t just about biscuits – it was about branding and presentation.
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They were pioneers in decorative biscuit tins, commissioning high-quality designs that were intended to be reused in the home. These tins were effectively early marketing tools: durable, attractive, and stamped with the company name so it stayed in the household long after the biscuits were eaten.
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By the 1890s, Huntley & Palmers were exporting globally, with tins shipped across Europe, the British Empire and beyond. Many of their tins were made to a very high standard, which is why so many still survive today.
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This example fits squarely into that tradition: practical, decorative, and built to last
