Single-owner collection of whimsical tobacco jars brings more than $121,000

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LOS ANGELES — International auctioneers, Bonhams & Butterfields, was pleased to offer part III of a single-owner collection of whimsical European tobacco jars on Aug. 22, 2010, during the Sunset Estate Auction. Following on the success of parts I, and II, which brought strong results, part III also boasted robust prices for unique glazed earthenware and wooden humidors. Over the course of the summer, the single-owner collection of whimsical European tobacco jars brought more than $121,000 in total.

"Bonhams & Butterfields was honored to present one of the most comprehensive single-owner collections of figural humidors to be featured at public auction in recent years. Since the initial offering in June, all three parts of the collection have been 100 percent sold. The strong result was a testament to the owner’s passion for beauty, quality and enthusiasm for tobacco connoisseurship," said Andrew Jones, Los Angeles Director of European Furniture and Decorative Arts at Bonhams & Butterfields.

Figural humidors offered throughout the summer of 2010 included animals, domestic and exotic, 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 was composed of earthenware vessels, with select rare examples in carved wood. Noted makers such as J. Maresch and B. Block were also represented within the offering.

Highlights from part III of a single-owner collection of figural tobacco jars included a group of eleven Continental glazed earthenware humidors, modeled as seated and standing figures (estimate $500-$700; sold for $3,416); a group of eleven Continental earthenware and porcelain tobacco jars of canine interest (estimate $200-$300, sold for $3,172); a group of ten Continental glazed earthenware humidors modeled as figures and heads (estimate $300-$500, sold for $3,050); a group of eleven Continental earthenware and porcelain tobacco jars of canine interest (estimate $200-$300, sold for $2,562) and a group of seven Continental glazed earthenware humidors modeled as seated figures (estimate $300-$500, sold for $2,440).

Humidors of note from parts I and II included a pair of Continental carved wood tobacco jars in the form of dogs (estimate $600-$800; sold for $1,952); a group of eleven Continental earthenware and porcelain tobacco jars modeled as foxes, rabbits, hares and wolves (estimate $200-$300; sold for $2,196) and a group of 10 Continental earthenware and carved hardwood tobacco jars of canine interest (estimate $300-$500; sold for $2,074).

For more information on Bonhams & Butterfields, visit www.bonhams.com/us.

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