- Estimate
- $20,000 / $30,000
22" (56 cm.) Of wood composite with pigmented gofun finish, the solid domed doll has rich sienna-toned complexion and lightly-tinted hair, inset enamel heavily-lidded eyes, defined nostrils, sculpted ears, slightly-parted outlined lips, modeled teeth, with tuft of hair above right ear (left tuft missing) and silk hair tuft at crown, matching wood composition torso with well-defined musculature and boy privates, softly-stuffed upper arms and legs, wood composite arms, hands, lower legs and bare feet, wearing original striped silk kimono with padded silk crepe turquoise lining. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Japanese, attributed to Fukumatsu Yamada, late Meiji era.Value Points: works by the late 19th century artist are highly sought, distinguishable by unique facial modeling and curled fingers and toes. Ex-collection Vera Kramer Dolls in Wonderland Museum of Brighton England. The doll is featured in the book, The Rose Unfolds, by Rosalie Whyel and Susan Hedrick, pp. 238-239.
Stuart's Take
For those that attend this auction, to see this doll in person, the details and workmanship, is truly a gift. It is a work of art. Not a single aspect of the body is left without some sort of detail. Everything is thought out. In pure Japanese fashion the entire composition is formulated from the inside out. Can you imagine a German or French doll that worked so diligently on every detail of body and face? Further, to have artist attribution and rarity behind it makes it one of the most important dolls, not just Japanese dolls, ever offered.