Help Identify Figural Inkwell Figure Please

Found at antique show in Atlanta. Metal (brass or bronze, I can't tell) figure holding ink well which looks like a pumpkin or gourd with the ribbing. 4" long for the figure, mounted on black onyx. Marked Germany of the globe, no maker's mark I can find.

I absolutely don't know what this figure is. Gnome, pixie, Palmer Cox type brownie, child in pajamas, child clown, or a "sandman" ? Looking for suggestions -- can't find this after much googling. Thanks!

 

I can't help much other than to say long time no see!!

It looks very nice & I also would have picked it up in a nanosecond.

Hopefully someone who knows more than I do will be along soon.

How are sales over in Atlanta? I don't see many dealers that sell there anymore & the ones I do see would never give me a straight, honest answer if their life depended on the answer. Is Tim Cordell still selling over there? I haven't seen hide nor hair of him in many months.

 

Looked around too. Couldn't find anything similar. Maybe someone else has ideas.

P.S. Nice to see a post from you! Hope things are going well.

 

Think he's a little elf but pixie, etc. works too.

Debora

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf#England_and_Germany

Elf or "elb." Part of German folklore tradition.

Debora

 

Elf, he probably is, but to me an elf or pixie seem to have impish faces perpetually planning tricks and mischief. This fellow doesn't have such a facial expression. With the cone hat with a ball at the peak, Peter Pan collar, possibly ruffles around the cuffs of the pant legs, and wide bow tie looks more like a sleepy boy in clown PJs. The clothing also made me think about one of the clown characters from the Italian Commedia dell'arte (Harlequin, Pierrot, Pulcinella, etc.) or an Italian opera character Pagliacci. I think at least one of them is sometimes portrayed wearing a cone hat, wide collar and a one piece outfit.

--- Susan