Hi Joan,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
I've done a fair amount of digging but havent found another example to base an attribution. That said, it's a fun little statue and my value is based on the prices of similar metal sculptures also by unknown artists.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

Continental School, 19th Century
Probably Italian or French
"Boy with Lobster"
brass over metal
The boy kneeling on a naturalistically rendered oval base, holding a lobster. Unmarked.
9 inches tall by 9 inches long
Weight approximately 4 pounds.
CONDITION: Minor pitting to surface and additional dust accumulation.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$500-700*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia