puzzle

Does anyone know what this clown was used for? He's about 10" tall and obviously not a vase. The piece says "Marcia of Calif." on the bottom, along with "A 85" and USA. Maybe a t.v. lamp?

Naturally I can find other stuff by Marcia of Calif. but nothing like this. He's been up on a shelf in my parents' home for a very long time and had to have been a gift since neither of them was particularly fond of clowns. I don't like clowns (rodeo clowns are ok for some reason) and I don't think my brother was ever a clown fan either. He's a bit of a mystery. The clown, not my brother. Oh. Wait...

Mr. Clown will be for sale as soon as I get an idea as to what he's worth. 99 cents? $99.00? Heck, I don't have a clue! Help?