Using The Lid Of A Vintage Cigar Box To Create A Mixed Media Painting

Vintage Cigar Boxes Have Many Uses: Try Making Art On The Lid

What do you do with old cigar boxes that are falling apart? Many folks save the bottom and use them for storage or to display small items such as vintage paper, postcards or trinkets. But what about a lid which has separated from the bottom of the box? So many times you find old boxes that have either good bottoms or good tops but as a "unit" they just don't make it.

Cigar Box Lid As A Support For Painting

I can think of many uses for the bottom of the box, but what about the lid? Have you ever thought of using the lid as a "support" (surface) for painting or collage work? I sure haven't thought about this idea until I came across this wonderful hand crafted "painting" that was done on top of an old lid to a cigar box.

Using The Design On The Box To "frame" The Artwork

I love the way the artist integrated the "Cadillac red and blue design on the border of the lid to "frame" their painting. They also used old trim to add a bit of a whimsical touch. This very sweet painting was found at Antiques On The Farmington in Collinsville, Connecticut.

Aren't vintage cigar boxes so versatile? I use them in my shop opened to hold displays of vintage paper or pot holders. Sometimes I'll use a closed cigar box as a riser to boost the height of an object on display.

The second photo is actually the back of the artwork.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.