Featured Ceramic (porcelain?) figural pig ...muffineer?

This piece reminds me so much of something that would have been made in Germany early part of 20th century, unsigned, some numbers on base. It looks like a pig dressed up like a fancy lady with gloves or a handbag. Note the holes in the hat, front and back. What would the holes (around 20 total) be for? Salt? Some kind of Muffineer?

 

One of a pair. Salt & pepper shakers. According to this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/153430436888

Debora

 

Ah, not a pig but a wolf! And for salt or pepper. Well found, Debora. Thanks!

 

That’s a pig. Look at its wee face and hooves. And the curly tail.

absolutely pepper.

 

Certainly looks like a pig.

Debora

 

The holes seem fairly gigantic. Were salt and pepper grains significantly larger back in the day?

 

They could well have been misidentified by the eBay seller. Oh, this seller thinks same.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1725729068/vintage-wolf-pepper-shaker-little-red

Debora

 

The holes are pretty large, that's why I wondered if more like a muffineer, but the size is actually pretty similar to a med/large salt or pepper.

It's interesting how it seems to be the same mold but different versions of the paint.

The other versions have the little bow at the neck painted, mine leaves that blank but has sort of gloves and a muff painted.

It's an interesting figure. Sort of cute and menacing at the same time!

 

Rather grotesque (if the word takes a modifier.) Wonder how etsy.com seller came up with 1930s. Turn-ish of century to my eye. And not expensive in its time. Dime store of the equivalent.

Debora

 

if that's a wolf, I'm not afraid of wolves anymore..

 

I agree that there are many more larger holes in that item than normally found in older shakers.