Teapot, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 3) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small ‘Teapot’ card, part of the Novelties series, was issued by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company around the turn of the century. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a glimpse into the cultural values and commercial strategies of the late 19th century. The image of a white woman—her face framed within the teapot’s body—highlights the era's prevalent beauty standards and racial hierarchies. This aesthetic choice catered to a specific demographic, reinforcing the limited representation of women in commercial imagery. The card subtly intertwines notions of domesticity, femininity, and commodity culture. By associating a woman’s image with a teapot, a common household object, the card encapsulates the complex interplay between gender, consumerism, and identity formation during this period. These cards were widely circulated, embedding these images into the collective consciousness. In our contemporary moment, the ‘Teapot’ serves as a poignant reminder of the historical construction of identity.