Featured Small Russian sailor? sitting on log. Who made it?

This piece is marked on the bottom but unfortunately, I have no idea who made it & if it is really a sailor or if the holder has a purpose.

It is 3 3/4" tall.



Thank you for any & all advice or opinions!!

 

The base appears to read Bespalov, although I don't think it helps much. Possibly a toothpick or match hold given the size.

 

I also think it is a match or toothpick holder also. He appears to have that spaghetti detail found on many MIJ Christmas items. Cute.

 

Thank you for the translation!! You were correct that the word bespalov did not get me anywhere.

The opening on the "holder" is only about 1/2" across so it wouldn't hold many matches or toothpicks.

I thought the same thing when I first saw it.

My searches using all the keywords I could think of got me nowhere.

 

I'm wondering if the holder with the small opening is for stubbing out a cigarette.

 

I agree with Ascot as the firgure has a stubbed cig. I have sold Smokey the Bear cig stubbers with a whole the same size.

 

Thanks @ascot & @Lark !!

I will look into this possibility also.