Vintage Tipsy Waiter Musical Rye Decanter with Cork Stopper

This is a mid-century novelty musical bar decanter, likely manufactured in Japan during the 1950s or 1960s. The piece is constructed from ceramic with a high-gloss glaze, featuring a whimsical 'tipsy waiter' or 'bartender' theme. The color palette consists of a snowy white base with soft pink airbrushed accents on the vest, cheeks, and cap. The waiter has hand-painted features, including a black handlebar mustache and simple dot eyes. The word 'Rye' is hand-lettered in a stylized black script across the bottom front, indicating its intended contents. The stopper is uniquely shaped as the waiter's head and retains its original cork, which appears slightly worn but intact. Structurally, the vessel has a tapered neck and bulbous body. Based on the provided context, the base contains a wind-up mechanical music box that plays the classic tune 'How Dry I Am' when lifted. The condition appears good with no visible cracks or large chips, though there is a small chip on the top edge of the pink hat and some minor glaze thinning. The craftmanship is typical of post-war Japanese exports intended for the American giftware market, characterized by lightweight ceramic and charming, albeit mass-produced, hand-finishing.