Iki Ningyō Face
Japan
Camphorwood, gofun, glass eyes, hair
6″ (15 cm) high, 4.75″ (12 cm) wide
Meiji Period 1868-1912
This trio of small, hyper-real iki-ningyō (living doll) faces are masterfully carved from camphorwood, unlike the usual paper-maché versions. They have survived the ravages of time, but not without dings and flakes from rough handling. Areas of amateur restoration are unfortunately amplified by the camera.
Iki-ningyō were part of a cultural phenomenon in the evolution of doll-making in Japan that began in 1852 with an exhibition in Osaka by Ōe Chūbei, the Jeff Koons of his time. Eventually, life-sized, highly dramatic and super-realistic figures in scenes from mythology gave way to pieces that were created for the export market as souvenirs of Japanese culture. These pieces are highly collectible and increasingly hard to find in the art market.
Reference: Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo by Alan Scott Pate, 2008, pp. 142-153.
SOLD
