Vintage Anthropomorphic Wood Chef Salt and Pepper Shakers

This pair of vintage salt and pepper shakers features a charming anthropomorphic chef design, likely dating from the mid-20th century, approximately the 1950s. The shakers are constructed from turned wood with a natural grain finish, each standing roughly 4 to 5 inches tall. Each shaker represents a stylized character: one features a light natural wood finish with 'Salt' handwritten in red cursive on the chef's hat, black painted hair, large circular eyes with long lashes, and a small red bowtie. The second shaker has a slightly darker honey-toned wood body, with 'Pepper' written on a red-painted section of the hat. This character is depicted with closed, sleeping eyes and rosy red cheeks. Both items show significant signs of age and use, including visible paint loss on the red hats, fading of the facial features, and general scuffing of the wood surface. The craftsmanship is characteristic of mid-century novelty kitchenware, often produced in Japan for the export market. There are no clearly visible maker's marks or stamps in the current view, but the style is consistent with companies such as Enesco or various generic imports from the era. The condition is fair to good, showing an honest patina that collectors of kitsch and vintage kitchenalia often find desirable.