That thing is wicked awesome. I agree with the thought of it being from India or Africa though that is just a guess. I have a friend from school we call D-mac. Welcome to a fine forum.
Welcome to the forum. That image is of Charon or Karon, the ferryman. What the shoe shiner is basically saying that the price is not fixed until he knows how much labor is involved in shining your shoes. Insofar as origin or date of manufactue idk,neat piece at any rate.