Rare and Wonderful German Paper-Mache Nodder "The Doll Merchant"

6" (15 cm.) Standing upon a wooden base is a paper-mache figure of a man with loosely- nodding head,having painted costume of bright blue polka-dot pants,yellow vest,big red bow tie,brown cap and grey Tyrolean-style jacket. A paper mache doll sits on his shoulders,he offers a bounty of dolls in his hand,and there are further dolls stuffed into his vest and jacket pockets. The nodder is arranged on wooden base under a glass dome. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany,Thuringia,mid-19th century,a series of merchant nodders was created at this time by an unknown maker. Value Points: wonderfully-preserved nodding figure with most apt theme for doll collectors.