Vintage Ceramic Sleeping Peon Figural Cookie Jar

This item is a vintage ceramic cookie or chip jar designed in the likeness of a 'sleeping peon,' a common Mid-Century decorative motif. The jar is constructed from molded earthenware with a glossy white glazed finish on the majority of the figure's clothing and the large sombrero. The figure is depicted in a seated, hunched position with arms crossed over tucked knees and bare feet visible at the base. The barefoot and hand areas are finished in a matte, flesh-toned glaze. The sombrero, which functions as the removable lid, features a wide, upturned brim and a high crown. A notable decorative element is the three-dimensional red chili pepper with a green stem attached horizontally to the front of the hat. The construction is typical of mass-produced novelty kitchenware from the 1960s or 1970s. Condition-wise, the jar shows heavy crazing throughout the white glaze, which is a common age-related defect where the glaze develops fine surface cracks. There are visible small chips on the edge of the hat brim and the base, along with some surface grime and minor paint loss on the red pepper. The craftsmanship is of standard commercial quality for its era, lacking specific maker's marks in the visible areas, though similar designs were often produced by companies like California Originals or Treasure Craft.