Item #CL194-20 Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
Japanese Ningyo Dolls
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Japanese Ningyo Dolls

c1850s-1890s. Group of six composition dolls with wood, gofun paint, lacquered paper, metal and silk, some with additional woven straw or glass eyes, sizes range from 17 x 7.8 x 7.5cm to 31.5 x 30 x 18.5cm. One doll missing right arm and quills on bows, damage to upper head and left hand; most with some missing silk hair, minor chips to paint and small losses to fabric.

Ningyo dolls are a traditional craft in Japan, made to resemble children, figures of the imperial court, warriors and heroes, fairy-tale characters, gods and demons. This group of dolls are likely from the late Edo and early Meiji periods and are in the style of musha, or warrior dolls. Their bodies are composed of “elaborate, many-layered textiles stuffed with straw and/or wood blocks, carved wood hands (and in some cases feet) covered with gofun (a white pigment made from the shells of oysters), and a head of carved wood or moulded wood and human or silk hair.” After 1850 many dolls had inset glass eyes. Warrior dolls are often dressed in armour, helmets, and weapons which are made of lacquered paper, often with metal accents. A doll-size samurai sword in a sheath is included in this group. Ref: Boston Children’s Museum; Wiki.

A detailed list is available on request.

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Item #CL194-20

Price (AUD): $5,550.00  other currencies

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