Owen Jones, Biscuit tin

Owen Jones, Biscuit tin, designed for Huntley & Palmers, 1868. Museum no. M.190-1983

Owen Jones (1809-74)
Biscuit tin
designed for Huntley & Palmers
1868
Tinplate, transfer printed
Museum no. M.190-1983

This was the first printed biscuit tin to appear in Britain. It was the result of a transfer-printing process similar to that used on porcelain in the 18th century. The design incorporates the royal coat of arms to celebrate the fact that Huntley & Palmers had recently been appointed biscuit suppliers to the royal household.

Owen Jones, menu card for the Paris International Exhibition

Owen Jones, menu card for the Paris International Exhibition, 1867. Museum no. 27195A

Owen Jones (1809-74)
Menu card for the Paris International Exhibition
1867
Chromolithograph
Printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co.
Given by Sir Henry Cole
Museum no. 27195A

This farewell banquet was held for foreign dignitaries visiting the 1867 Paris Exhibition. Jones had had a number of his designs in the display, and had won awards. The menu included dishes from many participating countries, including oysters from Belgium, caviar from Russia and coffee from Turkey. Its design was derived from Persian manuscripts.

Jones spent thirty years working for three generations of the famous De La Rue printing firm. He designed an astonishing variety of products including playing cards, postage stamps, chessboards, biscuit tins and even menu cards such as the one shown here.

Jones's work for De La Rue was so comprehensive and sustained that he developed a distinctive 'house style' for the printing firm - an early example of corporate branding. His output included over 200 designs for playing cards: this, combined with North American distribution, meant that Jones's designs would have been literally handled by millions of people.

Owen Jones, 'Window from the Hall of the Two Sisters'

Owen Jones, 'Window from the Hall of the Two Sisters'; in 'Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra', 1836-45. National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

Owen Jones (1809-74)
'Window from the Hall of the Two Sisters'
Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra
1836-45
Chromolithograph
Published by Owen Jones and Vizetelly Brothers & Co.
National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

This was the world's first published work of any significance to employ chromolithography, and it set new standards for the printing industry. Having studied the Alhambra, Jones wanted to produce a publication that would do it justice. Colour printing at the time was virtually non-existent, so Jones researched the new process of chromolithography and printed the book himself.

Owen Jones, 'Details of arches from the Hall of The Abencerrages'

Owen Jones, 'Details of arches from the Hall of The Abencerrages' in 'Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra', 1836-45. National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

Owen Jones (1809-74)
'Details of arches from the Hall of The Abencerrages'
Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra
1836-45
Chromolithograph
Published by Owen Jones and Vizetelly Brothers & Co.
National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

This was the world's first published work of any significance to employ chromolithography, and it set new standards for the printing industry. Having studied the Alhambra, Jones wanted to produce a publication that would do it justice. Colour printing at the time was virtually non-existent, so Jones researched the new process of chromolithography and printed the book himself.

Owen Jones, 'Details of woodwork from various rooms in the Alhambra'

Owen Jones, 'Details of woodwork from various rooms in the Alhambra' in 'Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra', 1836-45. National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

Owen Jones (1809-74)
Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra
'Details of woodwork from various rooms in the Alhambra'
1836-45
Chromolithograph
Published by Owen Jones and Vizetelly Brothers & Co.
National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

This was the world's first published work of any significance to employ chromolithography, and it set new standards for the printing industry. Having studied the Alhambra, Jones wanted to produce a publication that would do it justice. Colour printing at the time was virtually non-existent, so Jones researched the new process of chromolithography and printed the book himself.

Owen Jones, 'Patio de la Alberca'

Owen Jones,'Patio de la Alberca' in 'Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra', 1836-45. National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

Owen Jones (1809-740
Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra
'Patio de la Alberca'
1836-45
Chromolithograph
Published by Owen Jones and Vizetelly Brothers & Co.
National Art Library Pressmark 110.P.36

This was the world's first published work of any significance to employ chromolithography, and it set new standards for the printing industry. Having studied the Alhambra, Jones wanted to produce a publication that would do it justice. Colour printing at the time was virtually non-existent, so Jones researched the new process of chromolithography and printed the book himself.