$800
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sold
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Description
13" (33 cm.) Carved wood head with gofun finish and painted facial features hidden under the removable paper mache mask which reveals a variant person. The head has black silk hair and the mask has painted hair along the side of face, wearing elaborate original costume of red silk lined rich brocade with unusual fabric design suggesting feathers on the upper portion, and with hand-painted veil and a gilt metal crown with figural flying bird. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Japanese, Isho-ningyo or a Noh-ningyo from the Noh play "Hagoromo" (Celestial Feather Robe), early 1900s, late Meiji/early Taisho era. Value Points: perfectly-preserved figure with intriguing story.