Old Pipe Cleaner Figure #1

Any clues to age, maker, purpose? Thanks!

 

Pipe cleaners are not usually as thick as this (same comment applies to the duo in another post.)

 

I think all of them were made "at home."

 

Pipe cleaner crafts were popular in the 1950s (so were cocktail parties). There were kits & probably ideas in magazines devoted to things kids could do. The idea for making a fish out of nylon net & a bar of Sweetheart soap had to come from somewhere.

 

What would you call that type of material other than a pipe cleaner? Would that just be considered wire?

 

I really don't know whether there is another name for this variety, but it sure looks too fat to fit a typical pipe like the kind my father smoked.

 

Mid 20th century chenille stem figures - the nicest were Austrian, suspect both yours were made in Japan...

~Cheryl