Rare Punch Countertop Cigar Store Tobacconist Figure

William Demuth & Company (1863-1911), New York
Cast into base: Wm. Demuth & Co., Manufacturers New York
Ca. 1885.
Cast zinc, polychrome paint and gilt decoration
Minor repair to wrist, otherwise in fine original condition with minimal wear and paint loss commensurate to age and use.
Provenance: Private Collection.
This rare, diminutive-size counter-top figure depicts “Punch, The Lord of Misrule”, holding cigars in one hand while the other is lifted in a beckoning gesture. The “smoking” mechanism makes it especially rare: the figure is fitted with a metal tube in the back connected to an element that created steam, which was then emitted from the cigar dangling from Punch’s mouth. Tobacconist shops used such figures as countertop displays to advertise their wares. Demuth, the manufacturer, was a well-known distributor of carved pipes and cigar store trade figures, generally made of wood. In 1863, Demuth formed a partnership with Brooklyn foundry operator Moritz Seelig to produce metal pieces such as this cast-zinc figure, which was advertised in their catalogue as being immune from cracking due to climatic changes.