147. Austrian Hand Painted Figural Tobacco Jar by Bernard Block late 19thCt


A Good Example of an Austrian Pottery Hand Decorated Figural Two Piece Tobacco Jar by Bernard Block, made during the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century.  

Modelled as a young boy wearing a Tweed Berry and a large bow-tied neck tie 

Condition: Superb condition. 

Height: 6" (15.25cm).  

Location:  Dublin City, Ireland. 

Worldwide Store to door shipping. 

In 1871, Bernhard Bloch established a pottery in Eichwald, Bohemia and conducted business under the name B. Bloch & Company. The company was one of the few that continued to produce majolica after World War I. Under the Treaty of Versailles, Czechoslovakia was created from territories of both Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. B. Bloch & Company was renamed Eichwald Porcelain and Stove Factory in 1920. The factory was confiscated by the Nazis during the Second World War. The town of Eichwald is now named Dubi. 

Bloch is recognized for production of a large variety of tobacco items known as smoker’s companions or smoke sets. These pieces had integral receptacles for cigars and matches, a roughened area to strike the match and often included an ash tray. Many of these pieces keenly captured the Victorian whimsical sense of humor. Bloch was also unique in producing a number of majolica dishes and wall plaques with erotic themes which was altogether unusual during the Victorian era.