Passed
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Description
11" (28 cm.) courtesan. 7"-10" others. Each of the four ningyo with wood composite (toso) head with shell white (gofun) finish,painted features,inset glass eyes,silk fiber hair. Included in the set is Kyoto bijan-ningyo depicting a Oiran courtesan on her way to an assignation,having separately formed hands with finely formed attentuated fingers,dressed in a light blue silk outer uchigakae kimono with fine silk embroidery across the back depicting a blossoming cherry tree,with falling blossoms evoking the fleeting and ephemeral nature of beauty and existence,vibrant red inner lining with padded hem that is slightly lifted to expose tall geta as she executes the prerequisite and complex figure eight walk (hachimonji),large purple silk brocade obi tied at the front underneath the outer kimono but positioned so that the bow is clearly visible indicative of her profession as a courtesan,and her hair in a dramatic mage chignon with tortoise shell combs and silk crepe ribbons; posed on dark scalloped wood base. The second bijan-ningyo,10" depicting a Yarite,an older woman designed to supervise young courtesans as they traveled to an assignation,is soberly dressed with a dark kosode kimono with a broad back-tied obi and having simple mage chignon with simple comb and pin,scalloped edge wooden base. The two smaller ningyo,7",depict Kamuro attendants,girls in training to become courtesans,dressed in twin red silk furisode kimono with sleeves tied closed at wrists with dangling bell-capped tassels,birodo velvet obi tie belts at waist,hems raised to expose delicate feet in geta,hair in classic mage chignon with silk crepe,paper,metal flowers and ornaments,one holding a parasol,having matching scalloped-edge wood stands. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Japan,Taisho era,early 20th century. Value Points: beautifully detailed ensemble depicting social roles in precise and artfully executed manner.