a senior service cigarette art sailors sweetheart oval rosette, dating from the early part of the 20th century with a later central decoration and frame.
The practice of working card sits within a long tradition of "maritime folk art sailor's crafts" (like scrimshaw or ropework), where mariners used whatever materials were readily available during long, monotonous stretches at sea. Cigarette packets were a perfect resource, they were abundant, durable and brightly coloured. folded and cut packets were arranged in interlocking circles or ovals and glued together to form intricate, multi layered starbursts or kaleidoscope-style rosettes. Because cigarette brands printed incredibly symmetrical, high-contrast graphics, the resulting rosettes featured beautiful, complex geometric patterns that hid their humble origins. Today, surviving cigarette card rosettes are considered rare pieces of social history and vintage paper craft.
cigarette packet rosettes were rarely kept by the sailors themselves, instead, they were made as " sweet heart " love tokens. a gift for a wife, girl friend or familly member as a souvenir of time away.
senior service cigarettes were introduced in 1925 by J.A. Pattreiouex Ltd.in 1925 the company was acquired by. gallaher group, which expanded and marketed Senior Service nationally across the United Kingdom. The brand becoming popular with serviceman, in particular the Royal Navy. The packets featured distinctive blue and white designs, with a sailing ship, and crown, projecting an image of rugged quality
rosette size ... 270 mm diameter.
frame size ... 305 mm x 305 mm.
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