Japanese Ningyo Murasaki Shikibu from "The Tale of Genji", Original Signature Box

Live Auction

20" (51 cm.) White gofun-finished complexion, socket head, brown enamel inset eyes with heavy eyelids, thick shaded black brows, closed mouth, black silk fiber hair extending to hips, painted feathering around the face, wearing six-layered padded robes with orange and purple sash and ties at the front, extended train, hand-painted fan, presented on original wooden base with red silk cover and in original box with Japanese lettering indicating "Mrs. Huguette Clark" and "Murasaki Shikibu", in reference to the noblewoman and lady-in-waiting who authored the Japanese 11th century novel, "The Tale of Genji". Excellent condition. Japan, circa 1930s, from a series of ningyo representing characters from the famed novel, commissioned by Huguette Clark.