Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Dolls (103)

Japanese Ningyo of a Mother and Child or Mary and Child. 13.25 inches (33.5 cm) height.

A set of Three Meiji Period Japanese Isho Ningyo of rich, stylish young ladies viewing a book of leaves. They are created in a very unusual style. We have not seen anything like these before. They are gorgeous in every way. A work of art that transcends the usual. 7 inches (18cm) high. Wood base is 15 x 8.25 inches, 38 x 21 cm. Excellent Condition.

Marvelous and Rare Sakura Porcelain Head Doll of a an American Baby Girl, with Bisque arms and legs. Her clothes are all original. An absolute must for the serious doll collector. She has a wonderful presence and a beautiful face. Sakura dolls were the first attempt by Japanese doll companies to imitate western porcelain doll making techniques, mainly for export purpose. Shinoda and Morimura are the most famous manufacturing companies. This doll is very distinctive, with big black eyes and black straight bobbed hair. They were nick-named 'Sakura Bisque' or 'Sakura Doll' for the cherry blossoms (the national flower of Japan) and were a great hit all over the world. This doll is very distinctive, with big black eyes and black straight bobbed hair. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

A rare Meiji Period Isho Ningyo depicting the Tale of the Tongue Cut Sparrow. This pair is brilliantly crafted and attributed to the famous Ningyo artist Mauari, a National Treasure in Japan. His work is highly prized there. 9.5 inches, 24cm tall. Excellent Condition.

A unique Japanese artistic creation of a Geisha Looking in a Mirror. She is set inside of a glass enclosed presentation box The two sides are beveled glass creating an arresting design of multiple images. From the front she catches her reflection in the mirror. This is the only image we see of her face. She is so interesting in her creative style. Height: 12.5 inches, 32 cm.

Ningyo of Young Lady Looming Textile. 15 inches (38cm) wide x 10 inches (25.5cm) high.

Extremely Rare Japanese Set of Five Military Band Musicians from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5. We knew of this one-of-a-kind complete set 15 years ago, and have finally just now been allowed to purchase it. These rare sets were produced only during the Russo-Japanese War, and you will likely never see another being offered. Japan used these Ningyo for the Boys Day Festival during this time in history. Heights range from 10.5 to 11.5 inches, 26.5 to 29 cm. Excellent Condition.

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of a High-Ranking Oiran Geisha. 12 x 8.75 inches, 30.5 x 22.25 cm. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today. The popularity of Oshi-e Ningyô declined when steam engines spread throughout Japan and made more goods (Hina Ningyô in this case) accessible to the local regions. The production of Matsumoto Oshi-e ended in the late Meiji period (1868-1912).

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of Two Kabuki Actors. 12 x 8.75 inches each, 30.5 x 22.25 cm each. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today. The popularity of Oshi-e Ningyô declined when steam engines spread throughout Japan and made more goods (Hina Ningyô in this case) accessible to the local regions. The production of Matsumoto Oshi-e ended in the late Meiji period (1868-1912).

Japanese Keto Kyomasa Iki Ningyo. 21 inches (with helmet; 27 inches with staff and stand.

Very Rare early 20th Century Anatomically Correct Pair of Clay and Gofun Nude Figures in a Bath House Hakata Ningyô. Male: 6.5 inches (16.5cm), Female: 6 inches (15cm).

Kimikomi Ningyo by Jinku-ru. 9.25 inches, 23.5 cm.

Large Meiji Period Bunraku Puppet of Tokagawa Ieyasu. Extremely rare on this grand scale (4 feet high, 122 cm). This fine quality puppet was possibly made at the request of the puppeteer Kiritake Monjuro II, as the hero in Bunraku plays. It has a fantastic dynamic presence, and is carved of Poloma wood covered in gofun (oyster shell lacquer) featuring sumptuous silk brocades with Tokagawa crests and dragons.

Japanese Boys Day Horse. This white horse is of the highest quality and artistry. Carved of palomar wood and lacquered 30 to 40 times with gofun (oyster shell lacquer) to create a naturalistic effect. It is completed with the most fabulous trappings, a fine saddle, bells, and a ponga Buddhist symbol on his back. Presented on a lacquered stand with fine gold. The high quality makes it most likely that this fine piece was made for the Daimyo class, and may have been presented to a shrine. Height: 16 inches, 41 cm.

Japanese Standing Female Isho Ningyo of a Bijin, Meiji Period. 15.75 inches (40 cm).

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Boys' Day Doll) of a Samurai and Attendant. Pairs of ningyo of this very fine quality almost never appear for sale, much less with all the accessories, as we have here. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and lacquered armor, indicative of this period of ningyo artistry. Seated Figure: 19h x 14w inches, 48.25h x 35.5 cm; Attendant Height: 15 inches, 38 cm; Banner Height: 26 inches, 66 cm.

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons. Families with male children even today display Ningyo of Shōki to ward off evil spirits during the Boys' Day festival (Tango no Sekku, May 5th of each year). 23 inches (58.5cm) high.

Japanese Musha Ningyo of Old Minister Takenouchi, Meiji Period, late 19th Century. 12.5 inches (31.75 cm) height.