Antique Arts & Crafts Copper Figural Grasshopper Cigar Cutter Ashtray 1900-1915

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Antique Arts & Crafts figural cigar cutter and ashtray in the form of a grasshopper, in copper and brass, unmarked. … Read more Antique Arts & Crafts figural cigar cutter and ashtray in the form of a grasshopper, in copper and brass, unmarked. Early 20th century, circa 1900–1915, consistent with the German Jugendstil/Arts & Crafts wave of figural smoking accessories. The hammered copper bowl serves as the ashtray, with a stylized cut-metal grasshopper poised over the rim, its long curved antenna forming the cutting blade, designed to drop the cigar tip into the bowl below. Rich, original untouched patina throughout, consistent with age; this is the natural, uncleaned surface and has not been polished. Wonderful sculptural presence as a desk or bar accessory piece. The underside of the rear foot/leg bears an inlaid Roman numeral 'XVIII', possibly a batch or assembly bench mark used in metal workshops during production to match hand-fitted components prior to soldering or assembly. There is a also faint double circle (concentric rings) stamp in the center of the underside of the bowl, possibly a workshop batch stamp or foundry mark common on early 20th-century German and Austrian hammered copper desktop items. Measures just over 6" long and approximately 3.5" across the base of the bowl.

These figural insect and animal cigar cutters (grasshoppers, goats, monkeys, birds, foxes, giraffes) are a well-known category from the German/Austrian Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) and Arts & Crafts period, roughly 1900–1920. Several similar animal-form cigar cutters, a goat, a maribou bird, are attributed to the German sculptor Ignatius Taschner, who is associated with this genre.

Wear and oxidation consistent with age. The cutter mechanism is stiff with its original patina and does not currently move freely. Offered as a decorative/collectible piece; no repairs or cleaning have been attempted, and the surface has been left original. There appears to be a piece of copper wire (perhaps a front leg) missing from one side, otherwise the cigar cutter and ashtray appears to be completely intact. See less