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

This small plate is part of the Novelties series created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The circular format frames a profile of a woman adorned with stars. The composition is meticulously arranged. The soft pastel palette contributes to the overall sense of classical beauty. This idealised image is further enhanced by the decorative border, which features a delicate pattern. The combination of the central figure and intricate border evokes a sense of restrained luxury, typical of the late 19th century. The stars in her hair disrupt the classical feel and introduce a modern, almost surreal element, hinting at the burgeoning symbolism in art at the time. The formal structure, with its emphasis on symmetry and idealised form, functions within the cultural codes of beauty and commodity that defined the era, even as the subtle disruptions begin to challenge fixed meanings of representation.