A Belle Époque Advertisement for Swiss Civility in a Tin

Nestlé’s Milk

A Belle Époque Advertisement for Swiss Civility in a Tin
Printed by Champenois, Paris | Late 19th Century

Step aboard a grand ocean liner gliding through the Channel. On deck, in a halo of brass fittings and polished timber, three elegantly attired voyagers partake in afternoon tea with the quiet ceremony of a royal court in exile. The air is crisp with sea breeze and civility.

And at the heart of this stately ritual?
Nestlé’s Swiss Milk—demurely poised on a lacquered tray like a duchess at a garden party.

A Closer Look at the Scene

• The Attire: Bustled skirts in olive and rose, a sailor’s crisp naval blues, and the sort of hats that suggest telegrams from Paris.

• The Tray: A still life in perfection—porcelain teapot, matching cups, delicate biscuits, and that iconic tin with the red laurel seal.

• The Setting: Painted in softly saturated watercolour tones, the ship’s deck becomes a salon afloat—more Cunard than cargo.

Who Is This For?

This piece is for:

• Collectors of vintage advertising and Belle Époque aesthetics

• Interior stylists seeking a refined accent for kitchens, salons, or cafés

• Those who live by the tea-first, milk-after school of proper hydration

• Lovers of European history, steamship elegance, and the golden age of graphic lithography

• Anyone who ever wished life came with linen napkins, epaulettes, and conversation about weather over Darjeeling

Reproduction Quality

• Printed on premium heavyweight, semi-gloss 200 gsm silk-finish paper

• Humidity and scratch-resistant—ideal for kitchens, cafés, or anyone who likes their nostalgia tidy

• Made in the United Kingdom with Swiss precision and Parisian charm

“If civility were a beverage, this would be it.”
— David Harrison

This poster doesn't shout. It invites.
To a moment. A mood. A milk-soaked biscuit with a view of the Côte d’Azur.

Shall we pour?