Help Identifying What Porcelain Figure Is
 

Hello,

this figurine came into our family quite a long time ago and no one seems to know what it is or where it originated. The man appears to be Chinese although the item is made in Japan. The box he carries has characters which I assume are Japanese and probably give a clue as to the purpose of the piece. Any help would be appreciated.

It is of a cigarette vendor. Not sure there was a purpose. Looks like a regular figurine to me.

Thank you
 

Thank you, Masaegu,

that sounds reasonable. The box is actually functional - the ebony wood lid lifts off and although the length of the box is a little short for modern cigarettes, it would probably hold about 20 short ones.

Any idea what the characters translate as?

Regards, Chemika

lol You are talking to a Japanese-speaker. It says "Rolled Cigarettes". Did not know the box was functional and it all makes sense now. You put some cigarettes (which tended to be shorter decades ago than they are curently,) in the box and keep the figurine on the coffee table. Voila.

Thanks
 

Thank you, Masaegu. Much appreciated. :)