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MATCHBOX MAKING / EAST END
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MATCHBOX MAKING / EAST END
Two children watch their mother making matchboxes at the table at home in the east end of London. Date: 1896
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 20150121
© Bubblepunk
1896 Conditions Matchbox Matchboxes Watch
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment of quiet industry in the heart of London's East End, circa 1896. The image shows two young children, intently watching as their mother meticulously crafts matchboxes at the table in their humble home. The scene is a poignant reminder of the home-based industries that once thrived in the densely populated East End, where families often relied on various forms of craftwork to make ends meet. The matchbox-making process was a common occupation for women in the East End during this period. With a small supply of blank matchboxes and an assortment of decorative materials, such as colored paper, ribbons, and beads, these skilled artisans would transform the plain boxes into attractive and desirable items. The intricate designs and patterns created by their nimble fingers added not only functional value but also aesthetic appeal. The children in the photograph seem to be absorbing their mother's expertise, gazing at her with wide, curious eyes. This intergenerational exchange of knowledge and skill not only strengthened family bonds but also ensured the continuity of these traditional crafts. Despite the industrious atmosphere, the conditions in which these families worked were often challenging. The cramped quarters, lack of natural light, and long hours spent hunched over the table took a toll on their health and well-being. Yet, the resilience and determination of these individuals shone through, as they turned their homes into workshops and transformed simple matchboxes into works of art.
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