Whimsical Smoke Set made in Austria

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by Roaring20s, Aug 16, 2026 at 10:24 PM.

  1. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    I bought this via auction today. Prior to bidding, I could not find anything that compared to it. That didn't matter that due to the fact that I love it.

    It's about 11" across and 6" tall. On the bottom is inscribed by hand, Austria, and a number 1010.

    The collapsed fellow, his hand to his belly, is offered alcohol to revive him. I like the pipe in his hand too, its smoke rises against the larger pipe. In the commotion his pointed hat has fallen to become the match holder, with the striker below it.

    I don't see any wear on the bowl to suggest that it my have had a lid, so I assume it held small cigars or cigarettes, rather than pipe tobacco.

    These are the images from the auction ...

    Screen Shot 2026-08-16 at 6.30.58 PM.png Screen Shot 2026-08-16 at 6.37.42 PM.png

    Can you find any information?
     
  2. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Not really helpful, but this jar is currently on eBay:

    [​IMG]

    Item # 223472821387
     
    bosko69, sabre123 and Roaring20s like this.
  3. kentworld

    kentworld Well-Known Member

    I used google lens, and I think your item from the auction was shown, too. I love the whimsy of it. It is definitely in that Bohemian area. Bernhard Bloch has somewhat similar stuff, but it is marked differently.
    AI says:
    This object is an antique Austrian bisque/terracotta figural planter or smoking pipe holder featuring whimsical clowns or jesters, marked "Austria" on the base. Pieces of this style typically date from the late 19th to early 20th century during the Austro-Hungarian ceramic production era. [1]
    Key Details
    • Material: Bisque terracotta with polychrome or matte hand-painted finish.
    • Design: Sculptural group of clowns/jesters interacting next to a vessel or container base (often used as a match striker, toothpick holder, or pipe stand).
    • Origin Mark: Impressed "Austria" stamp, common for export ceramics made in Amphora, Turn-Teplitz, or surrounding Bohemian/Austrian manufacturing regions of that period.
     
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  4. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    This has popped up associated to a Facebook post and is not there.
    Screen Shot 2026-08-16 at 9.27.05 PM.png

    AI slop is just gathering bits and making a word salad.
     
    Bronwen likes this.
  5. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    I looked for 'Austrian clown cigarette box' & got what was presumably the auction for this one plus the eBay one. AI tells you what you already know, but in the most authoritative tone.
     
    Roaring20s likes this.
  6. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    What eBay one?
     
  7. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    Oh, you must mean the one you found, not a match to mine. :sorry:
     
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