Napoleon III Porcelain and Gilt Metal Chinoiserie Cigar Holder and Presenter

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Napoleon III Porcelain and Gilt Metal Chinoiserie Cigar Holder and Presenter

About the Item

An extremely rare piece of "tobacciana" comprising a cigar holder presented as a chinoiserie or Oriental Porcelain figure mounted on an intricate finely chased gilt metal base. This bourgeoise cigar holder and presenter was made during the French Napoeaon III era when cigar smoking in the mid 9 Century became very fashionable in Europe and America. Cigar smoking was in fact a very important part of the life of a well-to-do gentleman in the 19th century and smoking paraphernalia such as this holder was created not only to be useful but also to show off wealth. . This cigar holder, which may have been intended for the Ottoman market given a discreet half moon symbol on it , consists of an oriental contented looking gentleman dressed in a very colourful robe and pantaloons in a lying resting position with his back and elbow of one arm supported on a tufted orange and the free hand holding a long tobacco pipe. Off to one side near his feet there is a porcelain urn with a removal gilt metal lid that was used to hold ashes. On the opposite or front side near the3cushion there is a small porcelain tubelike receptacle to hold matches. The cigars themselves are held in eight circular notches at the top of a gilt metal umbrella that emanates from the top of the tufted support cushion and rises above the head of the figurine as if to provide shade. The whole is set on an intricate gilt metal base featuring alternating bunches of grapes and vine leaves supported by four gilt metal "rocaille" feet. This rare object is not signed but the quality of the porcelain and the detail on it suggests a high end porcelain maker such as Saxon in Paris. One unusual piece from about 1860 is a silver cigar lighter and holder made by Tiffany & Co. The top part is an urn-shaped cigar lighter held by two figures of Hercules. Below that is a pierced tray made to hold cigars. Chains, embossed heads and other decorations make the 10 1/2-inch-high lighter an impressive table ornament. It was a gift to New York banker Charles Christmas from his partner, August Belmont, who became chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1860. Probably because it is a "crossover" collectible wanted by buyers of four types of collections — tobacco, political, unusual silver and work by Tiffany & Co. — it sold for $13,750 at a Sotheby's auction.

Dimensions:
Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
Style:
Napoleon III (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain,Glazed
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1850
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Vancouver, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4631215318332