Enigmatic Inu-bako (Dog Boxes) for the Hina Matsuri... Lot n° 29

4" (10 cm.) l. A small-scale stylized Inu-bako set of boxes in the shape of dogs made of papier mache with curled tails, and covered in gold pigment with raised painted details including fans, flying cranes, pine, and plum trees, faces with white gofun, mizuhiki presentation ribbons, banded color tied in a knot at the back, and interior covering of white gofun. Late Edo/Early Meiji Period. Mid 19th century. Initially collected in Japan in the early 1950s through the curator of the Imperial Museum, Nishizawa Tekiho (1889-1965) by Colonel Robert and Eloise Thomas and part of their Yesteryear's Museum in Sandwich, MA. Inu-bako, whose stylized faces often appear more feline than canine, are frequently included as display items in the hina-matsuri. Dogs have long been a symbol of protection and fertility within East Asian cultures. Large-scale inu-bako along with hoko and amagatsu-ningyo were frequently included in the ubuya birthing chamber as well as being placed by the child's bedside to protect the infant from malevolent forces. Please call (US) 410-224-3655, visit theriaults com or email info@theriaults com if you have specific inquiries about this lot.