Impressive palace doll

A high quality & rare large gosho’ningyô 御所人形 (palace doll) of a sitting plump child with a brilliant white skin and a refined elegant face, like a noble. He is wearing a silk bib with a design of stylized pine trees in green and purple.

He is playing with a carved wooden shishi’gashira 獅子頭 (temple lion head) with a gilded wooden horn. Such a head was used during the traditional Japanese dance called ‘shishimai’ 獅子舞 (lion dance). The jaw can be moved freely from the head, and the ears and horn can be removed. Placed on a long black lacquer stick.
He sits softly on a nice cushion made of vibrant orange silk with corner tassels.

Gosho Ningyô: Also known as “Court Dolls”, these chubby, white-skinned, baby dolls were given as gifts to aristocrats for hundreds of years. They are thought to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness. Gosho Ningyo would be passed down to the next generation as part of a family member’s art collection. The whiteness of the skin was traditionally made using ground shells from a specific kind of oyster shell.

Approx. size:
Height 46 cm, Width 41 cm, Depth 34 cm.
Period: Japan – Meiji period (1868-1912).

The doll is in a very good condition with a few old restoration. Please look at the photos for a condition reference. The doll exudes craftsmanship due to the carefully shaped form and finely applied detailing.

When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.