East Asia, Japan, Meiji Period, ca. 19th century CE. A finely carved wood puppet head covered in plaster and painted in lustrous hues of scarlet, lime green, neon orange, black, and beige. Displaying a beard, moustache, and eyebrows comprised of lengthy, silver horsehair, the bald head features a stylized visage of slender eyes, a broad nose, and bowed lips, all flanked by long ears. Traditional Japanese puppet theatre involves the use of puppet dolls like this example to act out a chanted narrative, called joruri, as the music of a three-stringed lute, known as a samisen, is played. The term used for these performances, Bunraku, derives from the name of a troupe initially organized by Uemura Bunrakuken, an early 19th century puppet master. When used in performances, traditional narratives are told via the virtuosic handling of such puppets, and the result is poetry in motion! Size: 5" W x 8.25" H (12.7 cm x 21 cm); 17" H (43.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#164796

Traditionally attached to a wood and fabric body. Chipping and losses to paint in some small areas. Otherwise, very nice with impressive remaining pigments.