[Update Oct 2019] – This has been on eBay for some time, but clearly not selling (£155 is a LOT of money!. Still, it shows how the piece changed between registration and sale – it now has a lamp fitting!
This is a first for Nieri I think. See also Thai male (895988) and Oriental lady (895862), both by Paoli, if you are interested in this theme.
And if you have this piece in your collection, do get in touch. I would be interested in the finished colourings and whether it is chalkware.
Chalkware statues 