$5,000
Sold
sold
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Description
17" (43 cm.) with base. 13" without base. Of carved wood with well-defined features on the perfectly oval head, aquiline nose, painted features, narrow eyes, painted lips with green accented lower lip, painted feathering detail of hair around the forehead and silk fiber wig in very elaborate coiffure that is decorated with elaborate tortoise-shell combs. Wearing a stunning costume suggesting a six-layered kimono with padded hems, blue brocade outer kimono with dragon and cloud motif and a dramatic front-tied obi indicating her courtesan status, and standing in a refined pose, her right foot peeking from beneath the layers of faux-under-kimonos, and the padded hems designed to suggest a more sinuous strolling movement. Mounted upon a luxury wooden stand with painted decorations. Excellent condition. Edo period, circa 1850. An exceptional example of an exquisitely rendered and costumed courtesan (oiran).