Superb Figural Cane Handle

This is a rare figural cane handle made by Meissen in the 19th century. It is of a gentleman's head with pointy oversized hat making the shape of the handle. It is a rare piece to find and I found a couple described as it being a commedia dell'Arte character but I don't think it is. Looks more like a grotesque head with a nose larger than my own and a huge pointy hat. A really fun piece and not one you'll find again anytime soon. The piece is superbly modeled and hand painted with lots of detail as one would expect from the top maker. The hat is just silly but it works perfectly together! The bottom edge has a gold piece attached to it. I have no way to test it but it is definitely a high grade gold. There are two holes on the sides of the bottom end in which someone has inserted two needles to the ehads fill the holes. This would ahve been to attach the wooden cane to the handle securely. At some point is seems to ahve been used as a bottle stopper since there was some cork left in it which I dug out a bit to show the mark on the inside. The piece is in great condition with no damage but it does have some manufaturing flaws. A few black rough spots along the side of the hat and two glaze missed on his face - one on the lower cheek and another on the ear lobe as shown. These have been there since it was made and are not later damage! The piece is 2.375 inches tall, 5.125 inches long and 1.625 inches wide. It is marked on the inside with the blue crossed swords mark as shown. The inside hole diameter is about 0.625 inches and the inside gold collar size is about 0.875 inches by 1 inch. Please email me for more information or other pictures.