A decorative biscuit tin picturing a couple having sex in bushes during a formal tea party, which a mischievous artist tried to sneak on to British supermarket shelves, is to be sold at auction, it was announced on Friday.
The 1970s design was created for British biscuit manufacturers Huntley and Palmer, who were due to supply the tins to supermarket chain Tesco, according to auction firm Lawrences, based in Somerset, west England.
The initial picture, a somewhat chintzy watercolour scene of a Victorian-era tea party on the lawn of a country cottage, without the sexual antics, was approved by Huntley and Palmer.
However, the artist added a frolicking couple into the picture before the tins were produced — a change spotted by the supermarket group, which was not impressed.
”Tesco ordered 5 000 at about Christmas time from Huntley and Palmer,” said auctioneer Richard Gold.
”A design was approved by all concerned but between it being approved and printed, the artist made some alterations. Tesco then declined to take the order.
”However, the story leaked out and everybody started clamouring for the tins.”
Biscuit tins are collected by many enthusiasts, and this surviving one — described in the Lawrences catalogue as ”the rogue employee tin” — is expected to sell for hundreds of pounds at the auction on April 23. — Sapa-AFP