Cigar store Indian valued at $250,000 ahead of Maryland auction

An Indian princess cigar store figure, estimated at $125,000-250,000, is the top lot of Guyette, Schmidt and Deeters' Fall Auction on November 6-7 in Maryland.

The figure is attributed to Samuel Rob or Thomas Brooks circa 1880 and features bold colours glazed with varnish. It holds a bundle of cigars in the left hand and tobacco leaves in the right.

cigar store Indian Guyette
The figure is attributed to either Thomas Brooks or Samuel Rob

The carvings are traditional tobacconist's symbols, a reference to the crop's origins in the new world.

In 2010, a cigar store figure in unusually good condition achieved $203,150 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas - a world record.

A unique hooded merganser drake duck decoy, carved by the Ward brothers in Maryland in the 1930s, is offered with an estimate of $70,000-90,000.

Hooded merganser drake
The merganser drake decoy dates to circa 1936

The decoy is in good condition with only minor wear. The original paint retains its patina, although there are a few chips on the "jesso" where the head joins the neck.

Work by the Ward brothers can achieve impressive prices at auction. Earlier this year, a preening eider drake circa 1900 sold for $150,000 at Copley Fine Art Auctions in Boston.

A redhead drake by Elkanah Cobb dating to the end of the 19th century is valued at $45,000-65,000. It features glass eyes and paint that is in exceptional condition with only slight wear.

A bufflehead drake carved by Nathan Cobb is valued at $40,000-60,000.

A one of a kind Boston terrier carving by Gus Wilson is due to auction at Skinner on October 27.

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