Gebruder HEUBACH German Spill VASE Boy Wine Barrel Grape Vintner numbered 3173

Offered for sale is a lovely piece by Gebruder Heubach.
German Figural Vase
featuring a handsome young lad maneuvering a wine barrel.
  
The wine barrel could serve as a flower vase,
 but may have been designed to hold thin slivers of flammable wood or paper,  called "spills".  
Figural 
Spill Vases
were in vogue at the time (1880's - 1910);
and a household necessity prior to the advent of matches, to light oil lamps etc.
Measures 5.25" tall x 4.25" in width.
The only makers-mark is a faint 
number impressed into the back which appears to be 3173.
This numbering system, along with the detail, style and quality
 are in keeping with Heubach workmanship.
 And previous sellers have identified it as, in fact,
 a
Gebruder Heubach
piece
Hand painted in Germany over 100 years ago,
this busy vineyard worker is wearing period clothing
accented with gold embellishments and shoes.
  He even has raised dot detail on his pants, with grape leaves.
  His face is beautifully done with blue eyes, curly