MEXICO. Tobacciana, Advertisement, Textile, c. 1910s.
Made of felted wool, these striking silks were included as part of the packaging for cigars and cigarettes. They provided an extra layer of protection for tobacco products, as well as an accompanying free and fun gift for the consumer. Most popular in America during the early 20th century, silk designs ran the gamut from pictures of railway trains and motor cars to botanical and animal imagery. Buyers of all interests were considered, so silks also came with instructions for how they could be used by thrifty homemakers to create items such as quilts. Flags from other nations were a very popular motif prior to the outbreak of World War One, when it became pragmatically better to feature America’s military contributions on these giveaway items. Mexico was a country whose flag had been produced on tobacco silks, and we offer here two different versions in a single set. On the smaller of them the golden eagle is set on the center white stripe between the green and red ones. White is for purity. Green is for independence. Red is for the blood that was shed in order to win independence. On both flags we see an eagle perched on a cactus plant holding a snake in its talon. This is the national emblem of Mexico, symbolizing a sun god and the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital city. The larger silk has the eagle emblem placed between crossed banners. Its border is more decorative and soft tasseling is on the far sides. [Condition: Used Very Good. Only a light faded area on the red border and a few missing tassels on the larger silk.]
Condition: Used Very Good. Local / Regional Areas. Dimensions: Larger silk: 7.5” x 5” / Smaller silk: 6.5” x 4”
