Vintage Erzgebirge Wooden Nutcracker - Toymaker/Geppetto Theme

This is a vintage hand-carved and hand-painted wooden nutcracker, likely of German origin from the Erzgebirge region, depicting a master craftsman or toymaker. The figure stands approximately 8 to 10 inches tall and is constructed from turned wood with a multi-piece assembly. He features a black, bulbous brimmed hat, a red vest over a white-sleeved shirt, a brown leather-style apron, green trousers, and black shoes, all mounted on a square wooden plinth. Notable details include a white owl perched on his right arm and a small red string tied to his left hand, which leads to a miniature wooden rocking horse on the ground, suggesting a Geppetto-like character design. The figure has traditional nutcracker facial features with white eyes, a round red nose, and faux-hair whiskers/fringe. Regarding condition, there is visible age-related wear, including minor paint loss on the red vest and nose, scattered surface scuffs, and organic patina on the wooden base. The lever mechanism on the back is intact but shows some chipping around the jaw hinge. The style suggests a mid-to-late 20th-century production, characterized by the charmingly folk-art aesthetic and solid craftsmanship associated with traditional Saxon woodcarving.