Mesopotamia in Liebig trade cards

In the 19th century, significant cultural transformations occurred in Europe and the Western world,1 marked by a symbiotic relationship between consumer goods and imperial expansion. This era witnessed innovations in packaging, particularly for products like chocolate and cigarettes, turning them into mass-consumed colonial commodities. Mechanization revolutionized the chocolate industry, while cigarette packaging saw the introduction of cardboard mouthpieces and branding influenced by Eastern aesthetics, enhancing their allure. Trade cards, appeared for the first time in the 18th century, took on a new role in late 19th century advertising, becoming integral to mass-produced products. These eye-catching, collectible cards provided vital business information and introduced innovative consumer goods like colonial products, precooked food, and household items. They transcended social classes, fostering brand loyalty by establishing personal connections with consumers. Additionally, trade cards served as a medium for disseminating ideas, innovations, and knowledge. Amid this advertising evolution, trade cards often featured archaeological subjects, with Egyptian heritage prominently represented due to Egyptomania. However, this paper focuses on the interplay between European excavations in 19th century Mesopotamia and the visual portrayal of ancient Near Eastern civilizations on some Liebig trade cards.