A hand-painted spelter figure of a monkey wearing a top hat and playing the mandolin. This type of anthropomorphic figurine belongs to the decorative production of the late 19th century, inspired by the fashion for "trained monkeys" and monkey culture , very popular during the Second Empire and the Belle Époque. The molded MK signature under the base likely refers to a small workshop of French or German ornamentalists (Müller, Kallmeyer, etc.), active in the manufacture of toys or humorous hollow metal figures.
✦ Origin: Europe (France or Germany) ✦ Period: Circa 1900 ✦ Dimensions: 5×4×3 cm ✦ Material: polychrome spelter ✦ Condition: good original condition, wear to the polychromy in some places, even antique patina,
Small subject full of character evoking the animal figures of fairs and cabarets — ideal for a display case of curiosities or a collection of art castings.
