Vintage Japanese Geisha Doll

By bmdrake, 3 September, 2012
Description

I have a silk Geisha doll, recently acquired. The doll has human hair, silk fabric construction, silk clothing, and is posed in a sitting position. The doll has apparently been sitting in an attic or somewhere that it collected a layer of brownish dust. The doll has seen a little wear and tear, but given the presumed age (around WWII) and the ages of the previous owners, some of this is expected.

The doll is attached to a light "paperboard" foundation covered in a fine bamboo weave trimmed in fabric. This strikes me as rare because I had no success finding any Japanese Geisha doll images on the internet that resembled this one, clothing colors notwithstanding.

 

Category
Asian Art
Medium
Silk fabrics with fabric stuffing and human hair.
Distinguishing marks
There are no maker marks as it typical for this kind of production.
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
13 1/4"W x 10 1/4"D x 10"H
Date Period
Given the story we were given by the previous owners, the doll is likely dated after WWI and most likely prior to the Korean war. No more precise information was available.
Weight
Under 3 pounds
History
No precise history, but we are told by the previous owners (age approximately 60 years) that it was owned by their grandmother for years. Given the ages of the previous owners, I estimate that it could have been made in the 1920 to 1950 year range.
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
The previous owners had no appreciation of the potential value of the doll.
For Sale?
No
Photos