A GROUP OF FOUR NINGYÔ DOLLS FOR THE HINAMATSURI FESTIVAL

Description:

Japan, late Edo - Taisho Period
H. 25/27 cm; 15/18 cm
A pair of Ningyô dolls depicting the emperor and empress (Dairibina), dressed in traditional court costume of the Heian period made of fine brocades. The emperor's faces and hands are made of shell limestone, the hair of black silk thread. The empress wears a crown with a phoenix emblem, the emperor holds a tachi in his hands.
The second pair is represented by a pair of seated children in the role of the imperial couple, dressed in brocade, wearing a crown and an eboshi.
From a German private collection, acquired prior to 2005 - Traces of use, damages due to age