Bonhams & Butterfields, announces the August 22, 2010 Sunset Estate Auction including part III of a single-owner Collection of Whimsical European Tobacco Jars. Following on the success of parts I, and II, which brought strong results, the August sale will highlight several lots of unique glazed earthenware and wooden humidors as well as property from a variety of estates and private collections.
Humidors of note from parts I and II of the single-owner Collection of Whimsical European Tobacco Jars included a pair of Continental carved wood tobacco jars in the form of dogs (est. $600-800; sold for $1,952); a group of eleven Continental earthenware and porcelain tobacco jars modeled as foxes, rabbits, hares and wolves (est. $200-300; sold for $2,196) and a group of ten Continental earthenware and carved hardwood tobacco jars of canine interest (est. $300-500; sold for $2,074).
“Bonhams & Butterfields is pleased to feature one of the most comprehensive single-owner collections of figural humidors to be featured at public auction in recent years. The owner’s passion for beauty and quality are represented throughout the offering, in all facets of the Collection. These whimsical humidors are a testament to a true tobacco enthusiast,” said Andrew Jones, Los Angeles Director of European Furniture and Decorative Arts at Bonhams & Butterfields.
Upon returning from the New World in the 16th Century, European explorers carried tobacco with them. Within fifty years, cultivation and use of the plant had spread from Continental Europe to Asia and Africa. Containers for storage led to an abundance of cylindrical and boxlike forms in a variety of materials. Styles emerged, casting techniques developed and use of elegant porcelains were implemented, and thus the fine art of the tobacco jar was born.
Figural humidors on offer throughout the Summer of 2010 will include animals, domestic and exotic, including figures of dogs, cats and elephants as well as a selection of children and adults, at work and at play. The majority of the Collection is composed of earthenware vessels, with select rare examples in carved wood. Noted makers such as J. Maresch and B. Block are represented within the offering.
Upcoming highlights from a Private Collection of Figural Tobacco Jars in the August sale will include a group of ten Continental glazed earthenware humidors modeled as heads (est. $400-600); a group of eleven Continental glazed earthenware humidors, modeled as seated and standing figures (est. $500-700) and a group of ten Continental glazed earthenware humidors in the form of architectural elements (est. $400-600).
Preview: August 20-22, 2010, Los Angeles
Auction: August 22, 2010, Los Angeles
www.bonhams.com/sunset