1905 Anheuser-Busch Malt-Nutrine Portrait Tin Tray | Antique Advertising

Now this is the kind of antique that makes me unreasonably excited.

At first glance, it's simply a beautiful portrait tray. Look a little closer and suddenly you're holding a piece of Anheuser-Busch history.

This antique decorative tin tray features a gorgeous portrait of a young woman framed by an intricate turquoise, blush pink, and gold Art Nouveau border. The colors are unexpectedly fresh for a piece that's over a century old, giving it a softer, almost romantic feel that stands apart from darker Victorian pieces.

Then you turn it over and discover the magic: Anheuser-Busch's Malt-Nutrine, St. Louis, Patented Feb. 21, 1905.

Before anyone asks, no, this wasn't beer advertising exactly. Malt-Nutrine was marketed as a nutritious malt tonic beverage in the early 1900s. Which means this tray is equal parts antique advertising, art, and a wonderful snapshot of a very different era of marketing.

And honestly, early 1900s advertising was wildly ambitious. Imagine a modern energy drink company commissioning a beautiful portrait worthy of a parlor wall. We simply don't have that level of commitment anymore.

At approximately 10 inches in diameter, this piece is ideal displayed on a plate stand, incorporated into a gallery wall, or layered into a vintage-inspired office, library, or bar area.

Whether you're an Anheuser-Busch collector, an advertising enthusiast, or someone who just enjoys decorating with pieces that have a story to tell, this one delivers.

She's elegant. She's historic. She's a little extra.

Exactly how we like our antiques.