Vintage Novelty Chef Salt and Pepper Shakers

This is a pair of vintage novelty salt and pepper shakers featuring stylized chef figurines. The items are constructed from wood, specifically turned on a lathe into tapered, bulbous shapes which are then hand-painted. One shaker features a red chef's hat with the letter 'P' for pepper and closed eyes with rosy red cheeks. The other shaker features a white/off-white hat with the letter 'S' for salt, wide-open eyes with long eyelashes, and black linear detailing on the base suggesting a collar or tuxedo vest. Both pieces exhibit a warm, natural wood tone on their bodies under a glossy clear lacquer finish. These items likely date from the mid-20th century, approximately the 1950s or 1960s, a period popular for kitschy, anthropomorphic kitchenware. The condition shows visible signs of age including minor scuffs to the paint on the hats, some wear to the black linework, and a general age-appropriate patina. The craftsmanship is folk-art in style, characterized by simple geometric forms and charming, hand-painted facial features that give each personage a unique character. While no maker's mark is visible in this orientation, they are consistent with souvenir or novelty imports often produced in Japan or Europe during that era.