Need Help Identifying Bisque Figure

[universalman69]

Does anybody know anything about this item. It's made of bisque and has a character with a fez hat, round spectacles, wearing a robe and smoking a long turkish pipe. Has a number 638 on the base. I think it could be a match holder. Any information would be appreciated.

[md1919]

likely to be german, but no idea who

[maxine*j]

Go here, and scroll down to see one like yours:
https://www.rubylane.com/item/1607949-RSA000422/4-1-2x22-11-cm-German

Described as German and produced 1910 - 1920.   Whether that is accurate, I do know know.   If it is accurate, whether yours is from the same place and time or is a reproduction, I do not know.

I agree with you that the figure is holding a smoking pipe, and not a "riding crop," as that seller called it and, unlike that seller, I don't believe the gender is "ambiguous."  Looks male, to me.    But, stiil,  it perhaps gives you a place to start.

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[sonomabarn67 · Accepted solution]

It's a match strike. The horizontal grooves on the back of the match holder section are for striking a match. And he's wearing a silk smoking robe and matching fez. Smoking wasn't always the fun and games of catching cancer, it was a leisurely pastime to impress visitors.

[gracieallen01]

Yes, there was a point in time when matches were made with phosphorus and covered with wax and all one needed to do is scrape off the was enough of the wax to let air get to the phosphorus, for it to ignite.  They were dangerous if not handled carefully, thus match safes were also popular.

[maxine*j]

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@sonomabarn67 wrote:

It's a match strike. The horizontal grooves on the back of the match holder section are for striking a match. And he's wearing a silk smoking robe and matching fez. Smoking wasn't always the fun and games of catching cancer, it was a leisurely pastime to impress visitors.

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And it was recognized that smoking makes your garments and hair stink and that dribbled ashes can damage clothing;  thus, the smoking outfit to spare you smells and burn-holes. 

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[sonomabarn67]

When I was a ciggy smoker I had NO IDEA how bad I smelled until I quit! Never wore the fez & robe though. 🔥

[universalman69]

Thank you everyone for all your helpful information sprinkled with a touch of humor. Can't find any exact comps for this but I will list it for $50 and see how it goes. Cheers.