The Ships Purser!

I purchased this wooden money box in England in the 1980s and have not seen anything like it since. There is a makers mark on the bottom of the box, which looks like ‘Foreign’.

I pondered over what this wee figure could be, thinking at first that he was a sailor? But with a red tie, probably not! Decided he is a ships purser, responsible for the handling of money on board a ship. This would fit with a money box? There are images etched into the wood on the top and both sides of the money box, which stands almost 10 cm high, 7.5 cm across and just over 5 cm deep.

The figure front plate slides up and lifts off to get at the treasure inside. He has lived with me long enough, so I have listed him on my etsy shop.