A Unique Collection of Rápes a Tabac, Treen-Snuff Rasps
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1. Walrus.

Crown with face at top, mouth contains a hole for snuff. Pierced heart by arrow at top is repeated on both sides with crowned heads and scrolls at each end. Armored warrior “conquistador” with accoutrements of battle.

Portuguese/Spanish possibly circa 1570, 120 x 40mm. Damage plus crack to lower right.

101 & 101a. Boxwood.

Superbly carved rasp signed VICTOR MARTIN. Scrolls flowers and leaves with two monograms the top one beneath a coronet. Carving extends along sides and ruins. On reverse the signature and shell snuff hole while at top a crown above shield of three fleur de lys with pendant medallion and cross. Sotheby’s auction description stated that it belonged to the Kings brother, the Prince de Conde. Purchased for the collection in 1980 for £3,200.

French circa 1740. 414 x 102mm. Condition 100%.

102, 102a Boxwood.
Possibly the finest wooden rasp in existence. Purchased Christie’s 1977. At the top two freestanding putti hold open the mouth of a dolphin. Below, surrounded with scrolls etc is a bust of the Emperor with an angel beneath. At the bottom is more free standing carving. The top slides down to expose the metal rasp (missing) and the snuff hole is the dolphins mouth, referred to above. On the reverse an angel holds the crown above the head of the Empress with a further angel below holding up the scrollwork round the portrait. Acquired for the vendor at Christie’s in 1953 from Blumka Galleries in New York. Carved by the Austrian Master Carver ‘WITZ’ with portraits of the Empress Maria Theresa and the Emporer Francis. Formerly in the ‘Figdor’ Collection in the 19th Century. Austrian circa 1700. 205 x 55mm. Condition Mint 100%