Up for sale is a beautiful, remarkably well-preserved French Art Deco novelty cocktail/hors d'oeuvres pick holder from the 1930s. This exquisite piece of Prohibition-era barware features a highly stylized, geometric figure of a traditional European chimney sweep – complete with formal top hat and a soot basket on his back acting as the holder for the picks.
In European folklore – particularly in France, Germany, and Great Britain – the chimney sweep wearing a formal top hat and dark soot-covered clothes is universally recognized as a traditional symbol of good luck and good fortune, making this a wonderful conversational piece for any home bar.
While unsigned (as was common for many boutique artisan workshop pieces of this era), this set is crafted beautifully in the distinct style and manner of prestigious 1930s Parisian designers like Sudre.
Material & Craftsmanship Details:
- Figurine Body & Base: Carved from premium, dark-grained Macassar wood (ebony) with a polished, smooth finish.
- Hardware Accents: The geometric sphere face, nose, and stylized hands/cuffs are crafted from bright, high-shine polished chrome.
- Cocktail Picks: Includes a complete set of metal picks topped with vibrant, cherry-red early Bakelite ball ends.
This exceptional French item has been in my personal collection since the early 1990s, and has been very well cared for. It is in excellent condition as noted. It is 6" wide, 2.25" deep, and 5.75" tall.
Similar sets have been selling for $600.00 and up on sites like 1st Dibs.
Buyer pays for handling, insurance, and shipping from 27511 (NC).