Enchanting Miniature Bone Mitsuore-ningyo of a... Lot n° 2

2 1/2" (6 cm.) Miniature mitsuore-ningyo okimono articulated doll of a young child holding the mask of Daikoku (the god of daily wealth) is carved of bone with pegged arms, hip and knee joints, with sleeveless vest carved as part of the body, sweet childlike expression, simple black-tinted carved hair, well-delineated fingers and toes, with his hands holding silk cords that are attached to a carved mask of Daikoku with his signature cap and large earlobes and mustache. Meiji Era, 19th century. Carved bone figures such as this properly belong to a craft category known as okimono (display object) that, along with netsuke, became popular export and trade items to the West. Craftsmen working in okimono and netsuke were generally separate from ningyo makers, although a noted exception would be Hara Shugetsu III who was noted for both his stunning ningyo (see catalog #45) as well as for his finely rendered netsuke. Please call (US) 410-224-3655, visit theriaults com or email info@theriaults com if you have specific inquiries about this lot.