The Rubaiyat (as used for Crane Candy Box)
Decorative Art / Ephemera (Vintage Advertising Candy Box) • Maxfield Parrish (Illustration), manufactured for the Crane Candy Co.
Style & Movement
Golden Age of Illustration / Art Nouveau influence
Medium & Technique
Lithograph on paper mounted on a relief-molded mixed-media/composite box lid; wood structure
Creation Period
Circa 1917–1920
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 5 x 4 inches (Rectangular wooden display box with three compartments)
Subject Description
Inspired by the 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam,' the scene features a romanticized, exotic landscape with a seated woman, a central tree, and distant mountains rendered in Parrish's signature luminous 'Parrish Blue' and amber highlights.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (Minor surface wear, slight fraying of label edges, wood is clean)
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Original manufactured item for the C.A. Crane Candy Co. (Cleveland/New York). Contains a notable internal collector's note claiming extreme rarity.
Art Historical Significance
A prime example of Parrish's commercial success during the Golden Age of Illustration, bridging the gap between fine art and high-end consumer marketing in the early 20th century.
Notable Features
Includes a document stating this is a unique 'Medium Size Display Candy Box' and one of only five known to have been made by the Crane Candy Co.
Condition Issues
Visible aging on the textured lid borders, slight yellowing of the internal 'Certificate of Authenticity' document, and typical minor abrasions on wood edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a temperature-controlled environment; avoid direct UV light to prevent fading of lithographic ink; do not apply liquid cleaners to the textured lid.