Figural Spill Vase

This is a superb figurine of a boy with a rat or something along those lines by his feet made by Niderviller around 1800. The boy is holding a stick in his hand with a line along it which might have formed a noose at the end I think. There is an open chest in front of him, an open barrel to his side and open tree trunks behind him. I think this piece was meant as a spillvase or match holder or something like that back in the day as there would be room for sticks and matches as well as ashes or burned up matches. The figurine is superbly modeled and handpainted in the typical fashion for this maker. A solid and heavy piece for its size as they did not use air holes during the firing process. There is the typical rock work as well as the gold trim on the base. The figure is in great condition with only the noose missing which I am not sure was ever there and three very very minor chips to the edge of the chest. As is the case with most of their figurines he is unmarked. The figurine is 4.5 inches tall and the base has a diameter of 3.25 inches. Please email me for more information or other pictures.