Carved and Painted Pine Cigar countertop Sultana. Attributed to William Demuth (1835-1911), New York, Circa 1880.

William Demuth was born in Rimbach, near Darmstadt, Germany. At the age of 16 came to America penniless. He studied English with passion, and mastered the language in short time. Demuth had various jobs until 1858 when he was employed as a clerk. He lived on at 95 Rivington street on the lower East side, not far from the yards of the shipbuilders and the shops of the ship carvers. In 1863, Demuth left his clerk job to set up his own business, Wm. Demuth & Co., at 18 Liberty Street. Samuel A Robb (1851-1928) went to work for William Demuth carving Tobacconist figures at 403 Broadway. Later Robb opened his carving shop at 195 Canal Street in a two story wooden building.