A painted terracotta tobacco jar depicting a West Highgland White terrier dog’s head, Austria 1890.

Vienna, Austria late 1800s – early 1900s.

950 EURO

This object represents a classic example of a figurative tobacco holder (or humidifier) in cold-painted terracotta, a decorative art genre that enjoyed extraordinary success in Austria and Bohemia between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It depicts with exceptional realism the head of an open-mouthed dog, identifiable as a West Highland White Terrier (commonly known as a “Westie”). Tobacco holders of the period frequently featured zoomorphic and anthropomorphic subjects: dogs, cats, monkeys, and grotesque figures were particularly popular with the Central European bourgeoisie of the time, who used them as whimsical conversation pieces in their living rooms and smoking rooms. These artifacts were fired in a single firing and then hand-painted with oil pigments or lacquers, without a second kiln to fix the color. This technique allowed for a soft, matte finish with an incredibly realistic effect. The object is composed of two parts: the main head serves as a container, while the upper part (which includes the ears and the upper part of the skull) acts as a lid. Inside, the porous, unglazed clay performed a very specific function: maintaining the proper level of moisture in the pipe tobacco. A small, damp sponge was often placed inside the lid; the porous clay absorbed the moisture and gradually released it inside, thus preventing the tobacco from drying out. Vienna, late 19th century.

5” – 13 CM H 4,75” – 12 CM L 5” – 13 CM D

REF: M3077

This object represents a classic example of a figurative tobacco holder (or humidifier) in cold-painted terracotta, a decorative art genre that enjoyed extraordinary success in Austria and Bohemia between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It depicts with exceptional realism the head of an open-mouthed dog, identifiable as a West Highland White Terrier (commonly known as a “Westie”). Tobacco holders of the period frequently featured zoomorphic and anthropomorphic subjects: dogs, cats, monkeys, and grotesque figures were particularly popular with the Central European bourgeoisie of the time, who used them as whimsical conversation pieces in their living rooms and smoking rooms. These artifacts were fired in a single firing and then hand-painted with oil pigments or lacquers, without a second kiln to fix the color. This technique allowed for a soft, matte finish with an incredibly realistic effect. The object is composed of two parts: the main head serves as a container, while the upper part (which includes the ears and the upper part of the skull) acts as a lid. Inside, the porous, unglazed clay performed a very specific function: maintaining the proper level of moisture in the pipe tobacco. A small, damp sponge was often placed inside the lid; the porous clay absorbed the moisture and gradually released it inside, thus preventing the tobacco from drying out. Vienna, late 19th century.
5” – 13 CM H 4,75” – 12 CM L 5” – 13 CM D
REF: M3077