Faience or Majolica Deer Figurine

I found this wonderfully modeled and colored figure of a deer nestled in a meadow with wild flowers that measures 7" L x 4" H. Closer inspection of the underside leads me to believe this might have been a lid to a small tureen or covered dish. It has a shallow lip to it and looks very old. The bottom was probably broken and they kept the lid as a figurine.I could be wrong but that's my best guess. There are no marks or labels. Thanks for any help or expertise. -Mike-

Yes, it looks like a lid. Possibly a bit small for a tureen, but maybe of a pate dish. Possibly from France or Germany. Going by the decoration round the rim it might be earlier than 20th Century - maybe late Victorian. Without a mark, though, it's difficult to say more unless/until another one turns up on Google images.

Found something similar via google MICHAEL CAUGANT, VINTAGE LARGE LIDDED DEER SHAPED PATE DISH

Hi Naomi...I've seen the Michel Caugant pieces while I was researching this piece. They sure do look like the same style and coloring. I forgot to mention that the little silverplate oval tray it's sitting on was next to it in the store and it fits perfectly within the tray. Maybe it belongs with it or maybe not but it sure seems to work. The tray has no marks of any kind either. If it does go with it could it be for calling cards or business cards and not food.... I wonder. -Mike-

Ah, so two of your photos are of the deer sitting on the tray? Didn't realise that. I still think its a continental pâte dish lid, but can't say what date. I doubt the tray goes with the lid.

My guess is, if the lid fit in perfectly on the tray dish, then it could have been made together because this Victorians like to experiment on quirky stating piece :)

Spotted something similar in a charity shop, which was the lid off a butter dish; it had a cow on the top. Modern.