Did someone say #SassiestObject #CuratorBattle?

This late 1970s biscuit tin depicting an Edwardian party scene is certainly one to only open after the watershed.

However, even sassier than the object is the story of its designer: Mick Hill.

[thread] https://twitter.com/YorkshireMuseum/status/1253606632673738752

Mick Hill was a visionary freelance artist employed by biscuits manufacturer Huntley & Palmers.

The bawdy décor, ripe fruits and overflowing drink all make the scene on this tin rather suggestive.

It was his first commission for Huntley & Palmers. And in many ways, his tamest.

See, for example, this tin (1981) depicting a Japanese-inspired scene.

It’s difficult to see, but to the far right, there’s a Japanese inscription.

And of course, it says: ‘sex, drugs, and rock and roll'.

Hill's most iconic creation is known as the 'Kate Greenaway' tin.

Greenaway was an influential illustrator of Victorian children's books, and this tin's design was influenced by her work.

However, Hill's seemingly-wholesome homage takes the biscuit in more ways than one.

For starters, this is hardly good table manners. Even for dogs.

...and for the keen-eyed, there's something about this hedge's wildlife that we can't imagine being narrated by Attenborough.

Speaking to the BBC in 2018, almost fourty years on, Hill acknowledged that he thought the details would be a bit less obvious.

It's an amazing interview. He also talks about the tin that we included at the top of this thread! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-43671549/huntley-and-palmers-biscuit-tin-sex-secrets-revealed

At Reading Museum, we hold the Huntley & Palmers collection, which is comprised of so many fabulous artworks adorning the sides of biscuit tins: many striking, many extremely rude.

It's art, it's biscuits, and it's sassy as hell. https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/permanent-galleries/huntley-and-palmers-gallery