Cigar display stand; France, c. 1890

Exhibitor for cigars; France, c. 1890
Sculpture of an african porter
Ebonized wood, bone, glass and brass.
Presents faults
Measurements: 33 x 19 x 19 cm.

Exhibitor for cigars in carved and ebonized wood, representing an African porter who, kneeling, carries a wooden box where cigarettes, cigars or different smoking tools can be deposited.

Throughout history, tobacco has played a significant role in various cultures, not only as a consumer product, but also as a ritual, economic and social symbol. Its introduction into Europe after contact with America marked the beginning of a practice that soon spread globally, influencing everything from aristocratic customs to popular rituals. In this context, objects used for smoking, such as pipes, acquired a relevance that transcended their practical functionality.