Passed
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Description
29" (74 cm.) Depicted is tall and elongated figure posed in a wide stance performing a lion dance (shi-shi mai),having separately carved head covered with shell white (gofun) withpainted features and broad painted eyes,mouth slightly open exposing top row of teeth,exposed forearms and hands with long,well defined features. Wearing tight leggings below voluminous trousers,blue fabric tabi socks,purple and white striped silk over coat with birodo velvet and brocade trimmings,a hand drum at his waist. A separate well-executed carved wood lion mask in classic red and black palette with gold details is placed over his head with long trailing back cloth,and the dancer is mounted on a thick black lacquered wood base with carved floral front panel. Condition: good,scratches and minor discoloration of gofun,wear to textiles and base,hair missing with series of securing holes along the hairline. Comments: Japan,Edo period,early 19th century. Lion Dances were an important and popular New Year's festivity and are designed to chase away evil and help purify the home for the coming year. Many different ningyo forms were created to commemorate this activity. Value Points: a particularly large and unusual example of Lion Dancer.