Tobacco Jar - Lot 38

Tobacco Jar Painted bisque, 19th century A rare tobacco jar depicting a full-length figure with a black beard and mustache, holding a cigar. The elegant nightcap with golden tassels and, above all, the large sky-blue crinoline dressing gown with a floral pattern—whose hem is adorned with superb gardenias—give him a mannered appearance. The laces fastening the dressing gown, as well as its extravagantly designed belt, are gilded. The intention was clearly to mock the figure, who, if he represented a well-known individual, would deserve to be identified. Perhaps he is Pierre Loti, a famous writer of the time whose homosexuality was the subject of whispered rumors. Marked on the inside of the lid with “JG” intertwined in a cartouche—likely the decorator’s initials—as this snuff box comes from the Conta & Bohme factory. An identical model, but made of glazed earthenware and with less meticulous decoration, is listed in Horowitz under number 556. A shrinkage mark. H 22.5 cm