Delightful 18th Century Isho-ningyo of a Kabuki Actor

Live Auction

12" (30 cm.) The Kabuki actor, depicted in a dramatic pose with left leg thrust to the side, having head and hands of wood covered in gofun with painted details including kumadori makeup of a kabuki actor and with formed hair arranged in a wakashu-mage with forelocks pulled back and incorporated in the topknot to indicate a youthful character, is wearing formal nagabakama (long trousers) covering his feet with the kani-arare checkerboard pattern of the nobility, multiple layers of kimono with the sleeves of the top two layers thrown back creating a robust layering of silk brocades at the waist but leaving exposed the chirimen silk crepe under kimono with couched thread embroidery, and with sword tucked in at hip, mounted on a black lacquered wood base with painted front aperture cloth. Minor fading. Edo Period, 18th century. In Kabuki, artisans found a never-ending source of inspiration as well as an ever-hungry audience, always eager to find commemorative elements of their favorite actors whether that be through woodblock prints, painted fans, or ningyo. In prints we usually find colophons or glyphs that clearly indicate the actor, the role, and sometimes even the specific theatrical performance. In ningyo we typically have to rely on storage boxes for that type of information. But once separated from their boxes a doll's specific identity can become lost forever.