Antique Dolls

I was given a pair of antique dolls from Japan by my ex fiance but he had no knowledge of what kind they actually were. If anyone is familiar with these dolls can you please give more information, thanks in advance.

 

Message to self, refrain from commenting if you have not taken a very close look at the item, not very familiar with it, and in spite of wanting to help, you may give some wrong information details. Good intentions don't matter in this case.....lol

 

Are they worth anything

 

Part of the many cultural and traditional exports Japan made during 20th, so there are several examples on the resale market right now. They are worth something, but how much depends on the current value for these, which I don't know. Doll collectors would appreciate these, as well as Japanese textile collectors.

 

Thank you

 

Hello Mailuv, welcome. I took the liberty of making the picture full image.

I always love these dolls. They depict all sorts of Japanese traditional dress from peasant girls, brides, elderly ladies, to kabuki actors and samurai. There are also geisha dolls, but these two are not geishas. Geisha is a specific profession, as toomany said. Geishas have a low plunge of the neckline at the back, to show a very seductive neck.
These two look like a bride (sitting) and groom (standing) to me. The groom has a samurai sword, so this is an aristocratic couple.
Here is a bridal couple, the hat is only worn during part of the ceremony, the groom has the obligatory folded fan in his hand, like yours:

Here are some prices of Japanese dolls in a glass case, I think yours would be mid-range:
https://www.etsy.com/nl/search?q=japanese dolls in glass case

 

Thank you

 

Agree that these are not antique. More vintage, could even be newer than mid century.

A friend brought me a single doll in a glass case after a trip to Japan in the 1980s. I no longer have it, but I recall that he had purchased the doll new.

I think that quality, size and maker plays a big role in price. (Here is a Ebay list of actually sold items from highest to lowest). I used the search words. "Japanese Doll Case". There is a big spread.

Most $1,150, least $5.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sop=16&_sacat=0&rmvSB=true&_nkw=japanese doll case&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

I'm guessing the ones in this post aren't top tier, but could be wrong. If they are large (like 21") you will want to mention that when selling and could impact price.

If it was me I might want to try to get a translation of whatever is written on the wooden plank to the left, it may be a signature of the maker possibly. Then I would do a search with that name to see what comes up. Ebay completed/sold is also a good resource.

Edit: Just clicked on the link, for whatever reason it is showing a new search without the top sellers --odd!

 

Crazy thing is I don't speak to the Japanese side of my family so I don't know where else to look for a translation

 

That is sad. But maybe there is a Japanese restaurant near you?

You could also mention samurai bride and groom, samurai ones are more rare.

 

I just remembered, we have a new Japanese member. @nokita is very thorough, and reads Japanese of course. Let's hope nokita gets this message.

 

Don't worry, happens to many of us at times, and yes, it just has to do with wanting to help. It is called foot in mouth disease.

 

AJ. That is funny. I wrote a short story once in a creative writing class, the title was 'Foot In The Mouth Disease'. It was about keeping your mouth shut at times, because the people you might find irritating, could turn around and do something really kind for you.

I am glad you found the information for the originator. I had no idea there were different types of Japanese dolls, different roles, with different sex in the display boxes. Saw a few with geishas and that is what my impression was on the whole. Oviously, not one of the things I bought and sold. Figurines and dolls are not my thing.

 

It is my love for regional/national dress that makes me delve into these things.
There was a time when I'd have loved to own an antique wedding kimono. Now I think, what on earth would I do with it. They look wonderful displayed on a horizontal piece of bamboo, but they dominate a room so much, everything else would have to go.

 

@AJ
I share you love of kimonos, I own several vintage silk everyday wear, and some coats to wear over them. Also studied a bit about it, the different types, and all the accessories involved. Even got a new book in Japanese, showing images of all the different layers under the obi, how to tie the obi, the different types of silk and other textiles and they names for the kimonos.
There is so much more involved than most non Japanese realise. You have to have a natural attraction for it I think. Where mine came from - another life? Not this one, lol.