Antique Ichimatsu Ningyo Japanese tiny Boy Meiji Taisho

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Antique Ichimatsu Ningyo Japanese tiny Boy Meiji Taisho

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Sold Date: 05/10/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

ICHIMATSU JAPANESE Meiji-Taisho Era MINIATURE DOLL

For your consideration is an antique bisque Ichimatsu Gofun Daki Ningyo (style) doll. This is a gorgeous antique doll! It stands about 4 3/4" tall. The details on this little doll/fella are FABULOUS! He has detailed ears and has bisque arms from the elbows down, legs, from the knees down, a bisque chest and head - t is chipping w the neck and chest plate meet - see pictures. His eyes appear to be inlaid with black glass beads. Either that, or the paint used to black in the eyes has retained an incredible shine. I think they are inlaid. His nostrils are pierced. He has dark red lips and a little line to accentuate his chin. His hair is painted on using fine black/brown brushstrokes - a small area of the back of his head/hair is worn - about the size of a lima bean. His little feet are so complete and detailed. The soles have little dimples, t are little wrinkles by his ankles, and each toe is perfectly detailed. His wrists are also detailed. His hands are perfectly formed - thumb is seperate from the rest of the fingers - they are joined together.

The doll's upper arms and legs are what is called "floating cloth". In other words, the arms and legs are attached with strips of cloth that are quilted, and that serve as joints. The left leg hangs a little lower than the right. It is wearing an olive green, moss green, brown, and dark blue pattern silk komono. It is handstitched. T are moth bites along the bottom hem - visible only when you open the komono.

The doll's bottom half, under the komono, is covered with an off white paper/fabric. This fabric starts about mid chest. T are Japanese characters in the middle section between his legs - it looks like dirt in the pictures, but it is actually the maker's marking - a signature of sorts. Also, t is part of a reddish orange circle on the fabric around his chest/stomach area - possibly another maker's mark.

Please ask questions! I may have missed an important detail. Also, I have had the doll for a while and have been looking around for information about it and other examples of this type of doll in other auctions. If any one has information they'd like to share, I would greatly appreciate it.

*A fellow E-bayer shared that this doll is most likely from the Meiji-Taisho Era (1868-1926). I will be posting clearer pictures in the next day or two to show the fine detailing of his face and the maker's mark. *

Thanks for looking & Have a great E-bay day!

Hello - I added much clearer pictures. The lens captured every little mar on the doll's face. When you look at him, he looks much smoother than the pictures show. But I would rather have the pictures look worse than decieve by not having such clear pictures (what a difference a new camera makes!)