Gardner Bottle Stopper

This is a rare figural bottle stopper made by Gardner / Moscow in the mid to late 19th century. Not sure what he is supposed to be but they are modelled after some of the most popular figurines produced by the factory. The piece is made of biscuit or unglazed porcelain and shows a grumpy guy with a cloth covering his head like a monk. It is nicely modelled and hand painted perfectly. One does not see these come up for auction often at all and it was ncie to be able to find one. The porcelain head is connected with a porcelain piece udnerneath in the shape of a screw to the cork. The top part of the cork is original and retains its silver metal collar but the lower part of it is an older replacement which is to be expected! The porcelain head is in great condition. Sicne the top of the cork and the metal collar are original they are solidly glued to the procelain so we cannot look for their impressed mark but you do see part of the normal impressed numbers as shown in the pictures. The entire piece is 3.25 inches tall. The cork is 1.625 inches long and the head is 1.125 inches wide. Please email me for more information or other pictures.