Description

This is a very rare Swiss tobacco jar, modeled as a standing owl with glass eyes.  The hinged head tilts back to reveal a compartment to hide tobacco in.  The victorians loved hidden compartments.

The body of the owl is made from a horn and the head, wings, and feet are carved from Linden wood then stained and colored in the manner of Ruef brothers.  We featured a piece by Ruef in our book “Swiss Carvings” The Art of The Black Forest page 90.