Bells, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Curator: Let's take a closer look at this piece entitled "Bells, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes," dating back to 1888 and made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. Editor: It’s visually very striking; the arrangement is pleasing to the eye, and the colour palette conveys a kind of lighthearted and romantic aura to it. It is hard to believe that it's promotional material for cigarettes. Curator: Exactly. Context is key here. This was part of a larger trend in the late 19th century. Cigarette companies were targeting new consumers, including women. By associating smoking with music and attractive women, it attempted to normalize and even glamorize it. What is striking to me is that it normalizes a certain aesthetic of feminine submission while suggesting power: ring the bell, and she will come. Editor: Absolutely, there is so much iconography to unpack! The prominent placement of the bells themselves suggests that these objects transcend simple utility and instead function as symbols of status, summoning, and even power. Their arrangement—with one held aloft and the others lined before her—certainly implies a deliberate staging that feels almost ritualistic. It hints at hidden meanings we can only intuit, something ancient almost. Curator: Indeed, the ritualistic dimension can be tied to the burgeoning consumer culture itself. Buying and possessing items like cigarettes were becoming rituals. For women especially, consuming—and being seen to consume—became entwined with their evolving identities. This piece plays directly into that. Editor: The artist's inclusion of what appear to be roses, seemingly interwoven in the image, may be hinting at secret languages too, and adds to that romantic yet ritualistic ambiance. It brings so many psychological possibilities. Curator: It is an eerie combination to think that we consider art like this to be beautiful now, but that at the time, its context was used as leverage against societal perceptions. These historical documents continue to be tools, in a way. Editor: In that case, may we continue to see the many symbols hidden in everyday objects!