Miniature Calico Kitten Figure (Mike-Neko) with Blissful Smile

A tiny calico kitten figure caught mid-stroll with its tail held high. It's painted in cream with a mustard-orange cap, saddle and tail, black patches on the ear, back and haunch, and a black tip on the tail. Its eyes are closed in a blissful, contented smile, with a pink nose and a dark collar. Every detail is sculpted, down to the little toes and a fluffy bottom. It's about the size of a fingertip, so it's perfect for a desk, a dollhouse or a shelf of mini figures, and it's a sweet gift for any cat lover. Maker unmarked. It's in good condition.

In Japan the calico, or mike-neko ("three-fur cat"), is considered especially lucky. Because the tricolour coat is tied to having two X chromosomes, only about 1 in 3,000 calicos is male. Japanese sailors once prized those rare males as guardians of the voyage, believing a male calico on board would keep the ship from disaster.