Individual wrapping for retail goods is very much a phenomenon of the 20th century. Well into the century, shops selling provisions had a range of storage vessels such as this tobacco jar displayed on their shelves.

This is a tall, ceramic, urn-shaped tobacco jar with an enamelled metal top. It is decorated with beading at the widest point and concentric incised lines above the base and below the neck. The pale cream body has an exterior finish in a rich brown glaze and an oval maker's mark: BUCHAN/ PORTOBELLO.

Distinctive tobacco jars were used to store tobacco in commercial outlets, such as tobacconists, inns and other similar retailers. They were made in many places, this example originating from Portobello, and used all over Scotland.