Small, functional objects are a glimpse into everyday maritime life.
For example, take this 1932 matchbox made by Bryant & May Ltd. They were a British match manufacturer that opened in 1843.
The metal container was designed to shield the cardboard matchbox from external elements, which was crucial for maritime use. Despite some corrosion and worn lettering, the matchbox still reads:
“Ship’s Lifeboat Matches, approved by Board of Trade. Bryant & May Ltd., London, Liverpool & Glasgow. To Open Tear off Strip.”
With the instructions to open by tearing off a strip, a feature ensuring an effective seal.
When we open the container, we see the matchbox. The intriguing imagery takes inspiration from Egyptian art. Keep in mind, this company had nothing to do with Egypt in the 1930s or anytime. While the motifs are influenced by Egyptian design, they are not an example of Egyptian art.
In the middle of the package, a possible Egyptian vulture sits atop a collection of symbols meant to represent hieroglyphs.
“Flamers” is printed along the bottom, another word for matches. The phrase “a subject on the needle” on the front of the box may have something to do with the imagery printed on the back: a monument labelled “Cleopatra’s Needle, 1620 B.C.”
On the top of the box, the company name is flanked by two sphinxes and an Egyptian winged sun. A glued strip of grit is on the other side, to ignite the matches.
