Matches (1000 pcs)

On a soft powder-pink background, fourteen vintage matchbox illustrations line up like a curated cabinet of curiosities from around the world. Each one tells its own little story: a blue swallow nested inside a teal circle, a pair of butterflies with ornate floral wings, a portrait framed in bright red labeled Amarinha Braziliera, a pink hippo nicknamed Friendly Hippo, a mischievous monkey renamed Magic Monkey, a pristine crane soaring above the words Best Safety Match, a horned antelope displayed under the name Goathead, a tennis racket caught mid-swing, a striped tiger with a piercing stare, a dancer named Carmen, a cyclist mid-trick, and a king and queen standing side by side on a box of Wax Matches. Between the boxes, rows of matchsticks with multicolored tips echo the theme running through this retro puzzle, as charming to assemble as it is pleasant to display once finished, like a small collectible poster.

This puzzle is made in the Netherlands with vegetable-based ink, on sustainably sourced high-quality paper, and 100% recycled board, a welcome detail for eco-conscious puzzlers. Putting together a jigsaw puzzle is also known as a calming activity that helps relieve stress and sharpen focus, a great way to unplug from screens.

The artwork comes from Charlotte Farmer, an artist and screen printer based in Bath, England, known for her colorful portraits of vintage matchboxes and for collaborations with brands like Archivist and Freda Head; her work has even been selected for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. This puzzle carries the full personality of her style: bold colors, precise linework, and a good dose of vintage humor.

DIMENSIONS: 68 x 48.5 cm (completed puzzle).