Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Tower and Sword, Portugal, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

Editor: Here we have "Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Tower and Sword, Portugal," created around 1890 by Allen & Ginter as part of their "World's Decorations" series. It combines drawing, watercolor, and print techniques to depict this Portuguese medal. It's so detailed and precise for what was essentially a cigarette card. How would you interpret its purpose or meaning beyond just decoration? Curator: That’s a great question! It’s interesting to consider the cigarette card as a form of public art, really. Circulated widely, these images contributed to the cultural understanding—or perhaps construction—of national identity and historical narratives. The depiction of an honorific medal like this served to instill a sense of national pride and perhaps even promote imperial ambitions. What elements strike you as particularly telling in that respect? Editor: The tower, definitely. It speaks of strength and tradition, doesn't it? And maybe Portugal's colonial past. It feels almost like propaganda, trying to create a romanticized view of power. Curator: Precisely. These images weren't just decorative; they were doing cultural work. The choice to showcase the “Ancient and Most Noble Order” implies a deep, unbroken lineage of Portuguese power and nobility, lending credibility to their place on the world stage. It highlights how objects can function as symbols of national identity and aspiration within popular culture. Were they effective? That's a hard thing to know, but that's also why art historians spend so much time looking at these seemingly minor bits of material culture. Editor: So, it's less about the artistic merit and more about the message and its circulation. Curator: It's both! The skill in execution made the message that much more potent, distributed as it was on something as mundane as a cigarette card. The art and the socio-political context are deeply intertwined. What’s been the most insightful thing you’ve learned? Editor: Thinking about art beyond museums and galleries and really diving into everyday images. And the power these images had in shaping public opinion back then. Thank you. Curator: It's been a pleasure! Looking critically at images is vital. I'm glad to see the importance and the impact such cards might have had has had such an effect.