This is another of my very rare Schafer & Vater antique smoking collectables.
It is one of a series of quirky smoking heads, strange ashtrays, and novelty match holders - that I have for sale in my online shop.
They are all very rare and hard to source and are special items for the specialist collector of early 20th century Schafer and Vater porcelain models.
This little figure is a very rare and a most collectable one - reflected in my price here.
The model takes the form of a match holder, and ashtray - it has a rough match striker detail along the left-hand side of the base.
It is a very rare little model - and haven't been able to source another one - it has the impressed Schafer and Vater star mark on the base - so probably a more limited production made for export as a souvenir to shops on the Isle of Man at the beginning of the 20th century. The rise in tourism here during the Edwardian era no doubt reflects the demand for quirky souvenirs for more affluent visitors.
This model is certainly a comical one. It shows a little man with three legs (symbol of the Isle) and to the right is a little tailless Manx cat. At the back is a little aperture that acts as a little repository for your cigar or cigarette ash. And on the wee man's front leg, tope of his boater hat and also on his raised left foot - there are little holes where you might pop unspent matches. Or perhaps toothpicks. There is a little patch of rough sand to the left - where you would strike your matches on.
Height: 4 1/4 inches.
It is in good vintage condition.
These antique pieces of German smoking paraphernalia are now hard to find.
Displays very well. POSTAGE WOULD BE WITH UK Royal Mail Tracked - this would cost £4.95. Postal discounts would apply - any overpayment in postage would be refunded. to you.
HISTORY: The company was founded by Gustave Schaefer and Guenther Vater in Germany in 1890. By 1896 the business was so successful that they were able to expand to the List Porcelain Factory at Neuhaus.
The company aimed at producing high-quality items in hard-paste porcelain - and it made luxury items, including figurines and dolls' heads. They also produced a range of soft-paste porcelain items such as small liquor bottles which were distributed in pubs etc.
Schafer & Vater were better known for their comical and figural items. They manufactured these in teapots, jugs, creamers, bottles, match strikers, and planters, with a backstamp impressed with a crown above an 'R' in a star. 'Made in Germany' was sometimes stamped in black. Occasionally, Schafer & Vater pieces appear without any stamps or reference to their origin, but they are easy to recognize due to their characteristics and unique craftsmanship, and unusual design.
Their wonderful novelty figures were always very popular in the States - and by 1910 the American firm of Sears Roebuck & Co began to import and distribute Schafer & Vater pottery items.
In 1913 Paul Schafer had taken over from his father and, working alongside Gunther Vater, built up a successful workforce of around 200 people. In 1918 the factory was destroyed by fire and they set up a new factory to resume production.
Sadly, the firm closed in 1962 and in1972 the East German government assumed full control of the vacant factory and their records and moulds were destroyed - so no further figures could be produced.