$12,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
15" (38 cm.) including helmet. Of carved wood, the fierce warrior (aramusha) is posed kneeling on his right leg, his left leg outstretched and his head uptilted, having gofun finih with slightly-tinted complexion, exaggerated painting of features including sharply-downturned mouth, strong nose, upturned thick brows, shadowing facial hair including moustache and chin stubble, and carved wooden hands and feet. He is presented in full regalia, of rich gold silk over black brocade, very rare red lacquered armor with chased metal fittings, green Kabuto helmet with crescent moon motif, black velvet tabi, straw sandals, striped velvet shin guards, unusual woven mesh cover on his left sleeve, gold lacquer wrist guards, a Shishi lion crest on his chest and holding a halberd in his right hand with a long fur-covered sword at his hip. Near mint condition. Edo period, late 1800s. The ningyo depicts the legendary hero and warrior, Kato Kiyomasa, and is photographed and descripted in Japanese Dolls, by Alan Scott Pate, page 94.