Figural Tobacco Jar

Artist: Bernhard Bloch (Eichwald, Bohemia)
Date: c. 1880–1900

This item is an antique figural tobacco jar (humidor) produced by the prestigious Austrian manufacturer Bernhard Bloch. During the late 19th century, Bloch’s factory in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) became world-renowned for these “character” humidors, which utilized a meticulous “cold-painted” technique on terra cotta to achieve realistic skin tones and vibrant clothing colors. This specific model depicts a jovial young boy dressed in his “Sunday Finery,” featuring a crisp white collar and a hand-painted red bow tie. The removable lid is expertly modeled as a grey boater-style hat, serving both a decorative and functional purpose by sealing the vessel to keep tobacco moist.

The handwritten “72” visible on the interior rim and lid base serves as a factory “match mark,” ensuring that the individually hand-fitted lid remained with its specific base during the firing and painting process. Bernhard Bloch pieces from this era are highly prized by collectors of both Black Americana and Victorian-era tobacciana. The piece captures a snapshot of late 19th-century folk art, characterized by the expressive, “jovial” facial modeling that was a trademark of Bloch’s ceramic studio.