Antique Macfarlane Lang Biscuit Tin – Swan Casket Design – Circa 1910s/1920s

Antique Macfarlane Lang Biscuit Tin – Swan Casket Design – Circa 1910s/1920s

A wonderfully decorative early 20th-century biscuit tin by Macfarlane, Lang & Co., designed in the form of a small casket or keepsake box.

Measuring approximately 17cm x 15cm x 8cm, the tin has a beautifully shaped body with curved, architectural sides and a hinged lid.

The lid is decorated with an atmospheric woodland and water scene featuring swans and other water birds, while the sides are embellished with charming floral panels and garlands of roses.

The dark green and brown colour palette, together with the moulded casket form, was clearly intended to give the impression of a painted wooden or lacquered box rather than simply a piece of commercial packaging. It is a lovely example of the elaborate reusable tins produced during the golden age of British biscuit manufacture.

The underside is particularly good and retains the original advertising:

Macfarlane, Lang & Co’s Biscuits

Glasgow & London

Established 1817

It also carries the Royal Arms and wording referring to an appointment to His Majesty the King.

Macfarlane Lang began life in Glasgow in 1817 and grew to become one of Britain’s major biscuit manufacturers. By the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, decorative tins had become an important part of the biscuit trade, with manufacturers commissioning elaborate designs intended to be kept and reused long after the biscuits had been eaten.

This example dates from the early 20th century, most likely circa 1910s–1920s, and is believed to be from the George V period. We have deliberately kept the dating slightly broad, as we have not found a catalogue reference that allows this exact swan design to be dated to a single year.

The original purpose of tins like this was twofold: first as attractive packaging, and then as a practical household object. Once empty, they were often reused as sewing boxes, trinket boxes, stationery containers or general keepsake boxes — which makes surviving decorative examples such as this particularly evocative pieces of social history.

Condition

This tin is well over 100 years old and has a lovely, genuinely aged appearance.

There is surface wear, rubbing, fading, scratches, oxidation and some loss to the printed decoration, particularly around the raised edges, corners and floral panels. The swan scene remains clearly visible and the overall casket form has survived very well.

The hinged lid opens and closes, and the original maker’s advertising to the underside remains remarkably clear.

We have not attempted to restore or over-clean the tin, as its aged surface and patina are very much part of its character.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.

Approximate measurements:

17cm wide

15cm deep

8cm high

Maker: Macfarlane, Lang & Co.

Origin: Glasgow & London

Date: Circa 1910s–1920s

Material: Printed tinplate

Design: Swan and woodland scene with floral decoration

A charming and increasingly collectable piece of British advertising history, ideal for collectors of antique biscuit tins, early advertising, kitchenalia, decorative storage or simply for anyone who loves characterful old objects with a story.

Why we love it

It is the wonderful disguise that makes this one special. At first glance it looks almost like a small painted antique casket, but underneath is the unmistakable branding of one of Britain’s great biscuit manufacturers. The faded swans, old roses and darkened surface give it exactly the sort of timeworn character that cannot be recreated.

All descriptions are given to the best of our knowledge and research. Antique and vintage items will show signs of age and previous use, which we believe form part of their history and charm. Colours may vary slightly depending on screen settings.