Vase, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 4) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small chromolithograph was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of a series of collectible cards. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, were used to stiffen cigarette packs while also offering consumers an added bonus. The image presents a portrait of a woman within the shape of a vase, a common motif in Victorian-era decorative arts. The vase form, usually associated with flowers, is here combined with the feminine portrait to suggest an idealized beauty. The Kinney Brothers were not just selling tobacco; they were selling an aspirational lifestyle associated with beauty, elegance, and refinement. These cards provide a snapshot of the cultural values and aesthetic preferences of the time. To fully understand the image, one can explore period fashion, gender roles, and the burgeoning advertising industry. It is through this type of research that we begin to understand the complex social and cultural forces that shaped art production of the late 19th century.