Carved Wooden Ningyo as Chanter, Mid-1800s

Live Auction

7" (18 cm.) With childlike shaping of face, and presented in kneeling pose, the ningyo has a carved wooden head with gofun finish, painted eyes and facial features, inserted sidelocks and forelock, and a topknot which is attached to a circular velvet crown indicating youthfulness, refined carved wooden hands, and wearing a luxurious costume of patterned silks in various colors and rich golden trousers. Generally excellent. Meiji era, circa 1870.