Pair of Carved Wooden Ningyo with Variations of Facial Expression, Early 1900s

Live Auction

10" (25 cm.) Each has a carved wooden head with gofun finish, glass eyes, painted features, silk fiber hair attached in slits, arms posed in expressive manner, carved wooden hands and feet, and each is wearing a stiffened silk brocade kimono, one with rare multi-panels. The pair, united on a common lacquered wooden base are notable for variations, one having both forelock and sidelocks, and a wide-eyed shy expression, and the other with side locks only, smaller eyes and an impish slight smile. Generally excellent, except one with minor gofun lifting behind sidelock slit. Early 1900s.