Tiny Antique Japanese Carved Bone Articulated Doll drawing on rice paper with scuffs and small dings

with scuffs and small dings all over that just make it better

and then one discovers that the vessel's interior is glazed a beautiful blue-green--such a lovely

and satisfaction

Large cards measure 2 7/8" x 2"

This is definitely one of my all time favorite things I've had in the shop

Tiny Antique Japanese Carved Bone Articulated Doll drawing on rice paper with scuffs and small dingsThis little woman, carved of bone, fits easily in the palm of ones hand, and folds up to be even tinier. I find things like this just amazing, including the beautifully detailed carving of her hair and face, enhanced with black and red pigment. I have found a few antique Japanese dolls like this that were acrobats, suspended from an armature which they could be flipped over and around, but I believe this one was just made as a tiny doll just as is.