Antique Chinese Lady Opera Doll, in Indigo & Gold, 10.5", ca.1920

Description

Antique / Vintage Chinese Lady Opera Doll, 10.5", wearing an indigo blue silk costume with furry trim and decorated with gold silk embroidered flowers. This lovely lady features a finely painted papier-mâché, or composition, head with a wooden torso, articulated arms and legs, and papier-mâché hands with long, delicate fingers. Her hair is decorated with pearl beads and gold swirls.
Measures: 10.5" to top of head. She is in good condition.
Appreciated by the most s
ophisticated collectors, these remarkable and somewhat rare Chinese Opera Dolls are also known as Royal or Merchant dolls or puppets. Many opera dolls were sold as souvenirs to the aristocratic patrons at performances of the dramatic, colorful Chinese Opera at the height of its popularity in the Qing Dynasty. The elaborate decoration of the intricately embroidered silk costumes denotes the high status of the male and female opera characters depicted and are often trimmed with soft white fur. Made of papier-mâché or composition, possibly gofun, the heads are removable. During opera puppet shows, this made for easy wardrobe changes and character shifts.Their exquisite faces have delicately painted features. The hair is painted and the head is often signed on back of the neck. The hair of female dolls is decorated with colorful glass beads, gold swirls, tiny wire coils and fabric pompoms. Fully jointed arms and legs can be posed numerous ways. Thin bamboo poles could be inserted into the long sleeves making puppets of these charming dolls.
The tradition of Chinese puppetry originated during the Han Dynasty, and grew throughout the Tang, Song and Qing dynasties.
We will be listing many wonderful opera dolls in the future. All of these dolls are antiques or vintage and may show some discoloration, fading and minor wear. We will list any damages that can be seen. Please ask any questions you might have and we will try to answer. Both female and male dolls of all sizes will be shown.
If you are interested in layaway, we will be happy to help you with a payment plan.
Free shipping is available only within the continental United States. Shipping costs elsewhere will be determined at time of purchase. Please inquire about international shipping.
Item:  cod 113