A rare and beautifully preserved German novelty match barrel, dating to the 1920s, featuring the decorative label “Beauties – XVIIIth Century”. These charming display pieces were produced in Germany and Austria as elegant “fancy goods” for parlours and drawing rooms.
This example retains its original celluloid viewing window—a clear early plastic used before WWII—showing a tightly packed cluster of gilded wooden dummy matches. These were designed purely for display, never for striking, and surviving examples with the full contents intact are increasingly hard to find.
The lithographed wrap features three Rococo-style portrait medallions, reminiscent of Marie Antoinette-era fashion, bordered by gilt accents and set beneath a bold red banner. A superb example of early 20th-century decorative packaging and a perfect addition to collections of tobacciana, ephemera, German litho goods, or novelty curiosities.
Features
Authentic German novelty match barrel, circa 1920s
Original celluloid-top window intact
Full complement of original gilded dummy matches
“Beauties – XVIIIth Century” lithographed wrap
Rococo portrait medallions with gilt detailing
Excellent condition for its age
A highly collectible display piece for antique décor or ephemera lovers
Available now at La La Vintage, Semaphore
A tiny treasure with big charm — ideal for collectors of match memorabilia, Victorian revival décor, or early novelty packaging.
