$5,000
Sold
sold
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Description
10" (25 cm.) with cap, 8" without). Extremely plump paper mache gosho with large round head, fine gofun complexion, painted features, very narrow eyes, smiling expression, painted teeth, black sumi-ink painted forelock and sidelocks with feathering, attached silk fiber sidelocks, jointing at shoulders, wearing original silk bib (haragake), red silk crepe (chirimen) sleeveless outer jacket with cherry blossom embroidery and silk cap. He is holding a paper mache fox mask, and when the lever at his back is moved up and down, he lifts and lowers the mask in a playful manner. Generally excellent. Edo period, early 1800s. The torso bears the artist signature, and the doll is preserved in its original box. Karakuri is the name for the ningyo with simple mechanical movements. The fox mask was a favored theme, the fox believed to have particular human connections, and appeared in many Japanese legends and theatrical performances.