An extremely rare and very large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Iki Ningyo (living figure) of a young Bijin. An exquisite Ningyo representing idealized feminine Japanese beauty. She is posing as if for a photograph or for an artist. Every aspect is hyper realistic: the hair, eye lashes, accessories, and the painted kimono. She is holding a silver mirror and hair ornament as part of a collection of hair ornaments featuring a lacquered comb. Her beautiful face changes from different angles...

18th Century Japanese Edo Period pair of Kyoho-Bina Ningyo, an exceedingly rare early 18th century. An exceptional example of this early style. The finest quality in all aspects, featuring rich silk matching brocades in an elegant floral pattern with auspicious treasures on multilayered robes creating a classical form. All accessories and stands are original, very rare for such an early piece. Fine faces of gofun (oyster shell lacquer) aged to a burnished tone, with painted details...

Very Large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Ningyo pair of an Oiran Bijin, the highest ranking Kyoto courtesan bijin and her Kamuro (attendant), an elaborately attired pair of the finest quality. The Oiran and her attendant are wearing the most gorgeous, sumptuous brocades and textiles, all hand woven and painted chirimen silk crepe of beautiful shabori designs. The faces are exquisitely carved and covered with many layers of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer)...

A pair of Japanese Hina dolls decorated with traditional Japanese gold or kinran and non-gold or donsu brocades. The dolls are used in March for Hina Matsuri (also known in a different name as Momo no Sekku). The dolls were created by Ando Keiho, a living treasure, is known for specializing in Hina Dolls. Keiho is based in Kyoto where the tradition of the Hina Dolls originated. Age: 20th century...

Japanese antique wonderful set of six puppet figures, known as oshi-e ningyo. The set includes a beautiful maiden, a samurai, a female attendant, a male official, Ebisu and Daikoku, figures are made of very thinly shaved layers of wood and paper with silk clothing and painted details, each figure is held by a stick and fitted with a stand (made later), the oshi-e ningyo were often made by households in Northeastern Japan and were made to celebrate girls day or as a prayer for happiness...

Three(3) Japanese Hina Dolls, Meiji period, 9 1/4" to 6 1/4" high, 4 3/4" to 5 1/2" wide, 3" deep, with humorous face expressions were very well executed, carved out of the wood and lacquered, all have glass eyes. Each guys wearing silk garment and hat. Three(3) pieces of accessories came with doll set and the condition is good except silk garments are stained slightly with age and one(1) hat has loose rope.

Japanese Male Doll with Samurai hair cut, 3 5/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 3" deep, wearing brocade silk garment. The expression of his face is very well executed and lacquered on the carved wood. The condition is very good.

Japanese young male Doll with Samurai hair cut, 3 5/8" high, 5 1/2" wide, 3" deep, with wearing brocade silk garment and lacquered on the carved wooden head, hands and face. The face of young male is incredibly fine and shows he is a young male. No damages.

An interesting Japanese puppet head of an old woman used in Bunraku, the traditional puppet theater developed in the Edo period by Uemura Bunrakuken, which the name of the puppet theater was derived from. The puppet consists of several moving parts. The head and neck are two separate pieces that move up and down. The bar on the bottom assist the puppet master to move the head in various ways and the rope as a lever. Age: 19th century. Size: Height: 11" Width: 7" Length: 4"

Japanese antique living room in Victorian style, circa 1880, possibly exhibited at a world's fair. It is a rare, fascinating creation set in a silk brocade fabric box, with inlaid shibiyama style mother of pearl teak furniture. There are many miniature works of art featured, including a wonderful Gosho Ningyo, two flower containers, an ivory book, a three panel iris screen, ivory bird in a cage, etc. All objects in perfect proportion. 10h x 15.5w x 6d inches, 25.5h x 39.25w x 15.25d cm.

Late Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Boys' Day Doll) of a Samurai and Attendant. Pairs of ningyo of this very fine quality almost never appear for sale, much less with all the accessories, as we have here. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and lacquered armor, indicative of this period of ningyo artistry...

Japanese Meiji Period Musha Ningyo (Boys' Day Doll) depicting the legendary Emperor Ojin, seated in court attire and wearing dramatic cream brocades and lacquered armor, a fan in his right hand and wearing a classic gold eboshi cap. His face is finely carved with a regal expression. A rare and fine example. 18.5h x 20w inches, 47h x 51w cm.

Japanese Meiji Period Musha Ningyo (Boys' Day Doll) depicting Emperor Jimmu Tenno, the first Emperor of Japan, in an unusual seated position. A fine and rare Ningyo, wonderfully well-executed face with strong features, covered overall in a fine tinted gofun (oyster shell lacquer), with a spectacular silk fiber hairstyle, sumptuous silk brocades, and a sword at his hip while holding a fabulous polearm weapon. 10.5 inches, 26.5 cm.

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of a High-Ranking Oiran Geisha. 12 x 8.75 inches, 30.5 x 22.25 cm. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today...

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of Two Kabuki Actors. 12 x 8.75 inches each, 30.5 x 22.25 cm each. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today...

Rare Japanese Iki Ningyo (Living Doll) depicting a man clothed only in a loincloth, showing his perfect physique, with left arm raised and right hand gesturing his strength. Superbly crafted in the latter part of the 19th century for the export market, fulfilling the demand for Japanese “exotica”, following Japan’s opening to the West in the mid-19th century...

Rare Pair of Early Meiji Period Large Inu Gosho Ningyo, Japanese Dog Dolls made of lacquered papier mache. Most known examples are 3 to 5 inches in height. Chin Dogs were part of the Imperial court for centuries. They are wearing Imperial lacquered bibs, and are constructed in the manner of Gosho Ningyo. 10 inches (25.5cm) high.

Large Meiji Period Bunraku Puppet of Tokagawa Ieyasu. Extremely rare on this grand scale (4 feet high, 122 cm). This fine quality puppet was possibly made at the request of the puppeteer Kiritake Monjuro II, as the hero in Bunraku plays. It has a fantastic dynamic presence, and is carved of Poloma wood covered in gofun (oyster shell lacquer) featuring sumptuous silk brocades with Tokagawa crests and dragons.