Antique French bronze match strike in the form of an old soldier as a water sell

A very well cast and interesting French patinated bronze match strike. It is in the form of a water seller, in the uniform of an old Republican soldier, sitting on a bench. He is seen wearing a tricorn hat with a cockade to the brim, mutton chop whiskers, with a water cistern on his back and the cistern lid at his feet. In his hand and on straps are the water cups and in his belt a pair of pistols. The cistern acts as the match or taper holder and the strike is the naturalistic base. Mid 19th century. 5 inches high by 4 inches deep and 3.75 inches wide ( 12.5 cms by 10 cms by 9 cms).