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 one is quite unusual in that it represents a real person or celebrity.
This little figure is a rare and a highly collectable one - reflected in my price here.
The model takes the form of a miniature sculpture of the actor Charlie Chaplin - who was very popular both in Germany and the States at this time (the 1920s). - with a wee pot made to resemble a tree stump to the right-hand side - where you store matches or perhaps toothpicks.
The character of Chaplin is completely suitable for S&V - as his comical caricature of the Little Tramp - is very like those they were modelling at this time.
This little figurine is extremely rare - and you would have to look a very long time to find another. He is a miniature is a diminutive 4 inches in height.
As you can see from my photographs, in excellent antique condition with no damages. I am amazed that after 100 years he has survived in this condition.
These antique pieces of German smoking paraphernalia are now hard to find.
My asking price reflects the rarity of this piece of Holywood nostalgia - it is contemporary with Chaplin's earliest movies, and is a very good likeness of him. Probably an item for the more specialist collector. He lives at the moment in my display cabinet at home - as I just love him!
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.