Upcycled Japan Father Christmas Pere Noel Saint Nicholas Mantel Decoration

Found in its original box containing 12 pieces may I offer this Made in Japan chenille and clay faced Father Christmas - Saint Nicholas figure which has been upcycled.  If I am correct, this mantel decoration was made for the French Canadian market as Pere Noel - which translates to Father Christmas or Kris Kringle. Yes, you could call the figure a Santa Claus if you wanted to but this fellow is dressed in robes, wears a gold crown and carries a cross.  

Pere Noel stands on a cardboard base covered in white mica glitter. The main body is glossy white paper and his cloak a cotton like fabric. The crown is gold paper as well as the bow on his clothing. The arms are chenille and the staff is a combo of metal and foil wrapped metal along with some applied silver glitter. The face is clay and the beard / hair or overly large collar is cotton batting.  Since this piece was found in his original box, he would be considered as NEW UNUSED although he does show signs of a Japan "make as quick as you can" manufacture.  My upcycling included reinforcing the crown and adding a star, adding silver glitter to the cross to hold the foil covering firmly in place, adding a Christmas Tree to the base as well as 2 packages.

Santa is about 3-3/4" high; the pedestal is 2-1/2" wide at the bottom.  A well filled out decoration for the holiday mantel!