Important Trio of Carved Wooden Child Dolls, Three Classes of Society Early 1800s

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14 1/2" (37 cm.) standing, and 8" seated. Each has a carved wooden head whose facial shape and expression varies from the other two, gofun finish with fine sheen, painted facial features, black silk fiber hair in classic "tea whisk" style and long forelocks indicating its youthful age. Each has carved wooden gofun-finished hands and feet (the seated ningyo with feet hidden behind). Included are the Merchant, the Nobleman, and the Samurai. On the left is the Merchant (chonin), wearing a brocade surcoat over a kosode kimono; this highly patterned kimono with opulent decorations had evolved from a commoner's jacket and although worn by all three classes, was particularly the province of the Merchant. In the center is the Samurai wearing the matching winged coat and trousers in rare silver paper weave and paulownia regal crest, with decorative elements of netsuke, inro and tobacco pouch. To the right is the Nobleman wearing green silk gauze coat, considered formal wear, and trousers with undulating line weave. Excellent condition. Edo period, early 1800s. The trio was originally sold as a set, known as Fuzoku, and is alternately referred to as gosho style (in reference to rounded shape of head and childlike expressions) or isho style (in reference to the importance of the costumes) and are celebrated for the highly artistic blending of two. Included is the original wooden box and display platform.The trio is featured in Ningyo, The Art of the Japanese Doll by Alan Scott Pate, page 66.