Crown of Italy, Italy, from the World's Decorations series (N44) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is ‘Crown of Italy, Italy’ from the ‘World's Decorations’ series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The card presents a vibrant, eye-catching design that invites closer inspection, despite its small size. The composition centers around a white cross with gold accents. The bright red, white, and blue palette gives the medal a regal aesthetic. The background includes decorative, stylized botanical elements and clean geometric frames on either side. This juxtaposition creates a dynamic tension between natural and constructed forms. The card is part of a series that reflects an era of global fascination. Each decoration is not just an object but also a signifier, loaded with cultural and historical meaning. The symmetry and balance of the design reflect a desire to categorize and understand the world through ordered structures. The artwork suggests the potential to explore how objects and their representations shape our understanding of national identity and value.