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Doll - Artifacts

Description
Doll depicting Samurai Attendant A: Figure with head molded from wood paste and dipped in gofun (oyster shell powder), light pink complexion, painted black eyebrows slanting downward, hairline, lower eyelashes, small wide nose, large glass inset eyes, gray coloured unshaven chin, red painted downturned mouth. Wears a conical hat made of wood with purple cord and purple and white tassels. Black silk fiber hair tied back in tail with faded black paper string at nape of neck, bald pate. Carved wood hands are painted in grey with a white floral motif. Figure kneeling on right knee, left knee bent with leg forward. right hand up holding tasseled sword, left hand facing down with thumb separated, hands painted in green floral pattern same as pants design. Clothing consists of black lacquered papier mache armour with panels two in back, three in front, shoulders, with painted gold trim, four tiers laced with white and purple flat silk cord. Breastplate has vertical ridges laced with same cords, chrysanthemum boss in larger size with rings; suspended from shoulder straps in black design on brown sueded paper which in also seen at the top of the breastplate. Straps fastens the the plain back plate (horizontal ridge at the center) with smaller bosses. Epaulets of padded red and green cotton and paper brocade, with white and greenish brown cord trim. Around waist is a padded off-white silk belt tied in the front and finished on the ends with purple thread. Underneath the armour is a green, dark blue and beige cotton and paper brocade robe in a floral, cloud and dragon design with white cotton and paper lining and cuffs tied by red flat silk cord (right wrist); left sleeve is open and tucked up revealing red and green cotton and paper brocade sleeve (identical to shoulder epaulets). Hakama pants are dark blue with printed white cherry blossoms gathered into boots. Feet covered up to knees by drab blue cotton tabi with printed white cherry blossoms. Cloth shin guards of red and green brocade. Straw sandals (waraji) tied at ankles and through toes. B: Hat, H: 1.25", Diam: 2.5", made of paper mache painted outside with black lacquer, conical shape with a gold irregular circle glued to the front, inside is painted orange red; purple silk cords with white and purple tassels are attached to the inside center with three pieces of rice paper tape. C: Wooden sword (in belt), L: 5", painted black scabbard with gold painted handle and a rough silvery material glued to handle over the gold paint. D: Wooden short staff, L; 5.375", with large tassel (ho) of metal fastened to a round disk covered with green brocade, tied to staff by red cord, upper section of black painted staff is carved with ridges and painted gold. A saihai--a signal used in battle -wouldn't be carried by a low class Samurai. Condition: Hair is a little ragged, some chipping of gofun on neck under collar, black armour paint is chipping, some color fading, brass ring missing from top armour harness, small tear in armour strap. On back armour plate was a paper with typed number 46865 covered by cellophane tape which has been removed.
Object ID
1993.004.099