French figural pipes were produced en masse starting in the 1840s and continuing into the 1920s, which is when this specimen is from. The pipes are moulded as opposed to carved which means that each design is not wholly unique. Despite this, differences in finish due to hand painted glazing does result in some individuality. These pipes ended up all over the world and can be quite the collectors object, often depicting all kinds of figures including military and mythical characters.