When the commercial graphic designers designed the packaging for product tins, did they have any idea those functional tins would someday be decor? We have two tins in this week’s fresh to market vintage from different times and for different uses. Collectors of tobacciana would drool over the Sweet Mist chewing tobacco tin. And 60s collectors would feel a magnetic and ironic attraction to repurposing a tin designed to hold chemicals into decor.

Tins fall into the category of magical vintage that was designed to only be around for a short time, and yet managed to stick around because they were useful for other purposes originally and decorative uses eventually. Nostalgia for common household things like tins is strong.

If tins are not on your vintage must haves, we also have a snazzy brooch and some wee ceramic lovelies in this week’s fresh to market vintage.

“Sweet Mist” Commercial Store Tin c 1900s

Up for adoption – a vintage “Sweet Mist Tobacco” country store tobacco tin tin dating to the early 1900s. Great gold and deep red metal tin & with a hinged, perforated and latched lid. The graphics are fabulous – touting “38 Sweet Mist Fine Cut 5 Cent Packages cut” on both sides. The only redeeming quality about tobacco, IMHO, is the incredible containers that have survived.

Country Store Tobacco Tin, $250

-Linda, Selective Salvage

Egyptian Revival Circle Brooch

Egyptian aesthetic has gone in and out of style many times over the years. From the early 1920s through to the Bohemian look of the id 2000s. This brooch is from the 1960s and is marked 14k GF. Gold filled jewelry was quite popular in those years as it was an economical way to increase the look and value of costume jewelry. This brooch differs from some more common styles of the day in that it only features two small scarabs rather that a full circle in multiple gemstones. The leaves give it a softer look as well. This style of brooch has stood the test of time as the circle theme has so much meaning including love, eternity, unity, and faith.

Egyptian Revival Brooch w/Scarabs, $34.95

-Pam, Vintage Renude

Five Elfinware Pieces and Female Figures

“Elfinware” is a term for small porcelain items that were covered with three dimensional flowers and leaves. I found them in the estate of a savvy collector who had an eye out for and a love of small things. Some elfinware is stamped with that name but some pieces such as there are just stamped “Germany.” Mine are not as sophisticated nor as delicate as the others but are still charming. Faedra.com has an interesting post, Collecting German Elvinware and Mossware, if you want to learn more about to learn more about the truly exquisite pieces of elfinware.

Instant Collection of 1930s Porcelain, $58.99

-Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic

Mothmaster Closet Vaporizer Moth Prevention Tin

We have strong thoughts about clothing moths, moth prevention and this cool little tin. We have a post about evil clothing moths are, how moth chemicals are only effective under certain controlled circumstances and how to handle moths because we really hate clothing moths.

On the other hand, we love this little tin that was intended to hold a moth chemical cake. We love the graphics, the 45¢ stamped price and the perforated holes in the side that make it the perfect place to hide an air freshener or potpourri.

Mothmaster Closet Vaporizer Tin, $18.

-Laurie, NextStage Vintage

If Egyptian revival is your thing, you can read our appreciation of the aesthetic here. And of course, you can purchase that dreamy little brooch before someone else does. And think of all the ways you could work those tiny Elfinware pieces into your decor. Oh the tiny dioramas you could build featuring them…

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