Glossy plaster, late 20th century - Lot 183

Glossy plaster, late 20th century A large white glazed plaster tobacco jar depicting a skull resting on a closed book with the word “hell” inscribed on its spine. It features a handle like that of a drinking mug and a lid with a small skull as its knob. This object has neither the aesthetic nor the symbolic value of the following three jars, but it shows us—if proof were needed—just how “matter-of-fact” the depiction of death was for our close ancestors. No mark. H 12 cm White-glazed terracotta, late 19th century A small tobacco jar depicting a grinning skull that stares at us with its dried-up eyes, which can be glimpsed at the back of its eye sockets. What is striking here is not so much the quality of the sculpture or the anatomical accuracy of the skull’s structure as—as is always the case with Johann Maresch—the extraordinary expressiveness of the rendering. While the two following depictions show death in its grim reality (fig. 261) or in its hieratic mystery (fig. 262), here, certain of its ultimate victory, death clearly mocks the very temporary living beings that we are. Marked on the base with “JM” followed by an asterisk for Johann Maresch and an engraved number, 3366; on the underside of the lid, “M3”—possibly the maker’s mark. H 17.5 cm Partially glazed painted bisque, 20th century A snuff bottle shaped like a skull, whose lower jaw has been replaced by a book—perhaps a Bible—painted red and glazed, as are the prominent white teeth. On top of the skull, a lizard—a reptile commonly found in cemeteries—serves as a handle. Marked “Foreign” on the bottom, suggesting an English origin. Lid broken. Height: 15 cm