$17,000
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sold
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Description
10" (25 cm.) and 9". Each having carved wooden head, expressively-posed hands and feet, glass eyes, painted features over rich gofun complexion, rudimentary body form, and original wooden stand. The courtesan (oiran) has elaborate silk fiber hair with long strands gracefully arranged at her front torso, a formal arrangement of hair at the crown and back of head that is decorated with metal foil hair ornaments, and painted feathered hair tendrils around the forehead. She is wearing a vibrant red silk kimono (uchigake) with embroidered trailing cherry blossoms and having long red tasseled sleeve ties, purple brocade obi secured with red cord string (obi-jime), red silk inner kimono with padded hem, raised sandals (geta), and a silk cosmetic purse (hakoseko) which holds additional hair pins. There is a young attendant in training wearing a purple crepe yuzen-dyed kimono with autumnal leaf pattern, red an gold brocade obi, carrying fan pouch, and with elaborate hair decorated with combs and a gilded metal hair comb/ear cleaner. The second, more matronly, attendant is wearing a distinctive open kimono (uchigake) of blue silk brocade with cherry-blossom patterned pale green silk under-kimono, sandals, and has elaborate hair combs, fan, cosmetic bag, and gilded metal hair comb/ear cleaner. Excellent condition overall. Taisho era, circa 1920. The trio is featured in Japanese Dolls by Alan Scott Pate, page 125 who notes "structurally, emphasis was placed on the heads - finely executed features and immaculate coiffures - and on a sophisticated presentation of the textiles, positioning them to their greatest advantage."