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Rare Vintage Kokeshi by Shōden
€199Bid from €177
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Private sellerProduct description
Rare Vintage Kokeshi by Shōden.
In the world of Sōsaku Kokeshi (creative art dolls), Shōden (庄伝) is a fascinating and mysterious figure. Unlike large commercial kokeshi factories, Shōden worked as an independent, small-scale artisan.
Shōden was primarily active in the 1970s and 1980s.
Shōden did not view the kokeshi as toys, but as a modern interior and art object.
His dolls are always hand-signed on the bottom in black ink with 庄伝 (Shōden) or 庄伝作 (Shōden-saku), which is his personal stamp of authenticity.
Shōden is known among international collectors for a highly recognizable, elegant, and understated signature in his designs:
His dolls almost always have a serene, dreamy face. The eyes are reduced to two clean, fine brushstrokes and the mouth is minimalist. This gives his dolls a timeless, soothing appearance.
Shōden frequently used deep, rich colors for the kimonos (often burgundy, deep black, or dark brown). What makes his work unique is the combination of woodcarving and painting: the patterns in the kimono (such as the chrysanthemums on this doll) were first carved into the wood and then meticulously washed in with gold or color pigments.
He had a preference for monumental, heavy, and jet-black hairstyles (okappa or sculpted knots) that stood in sharp contrast to the pale, unworked wood of the face.
Because Shōden turned, carved, and painted his dolls entirely by hand, his total oeuvre has remained relatively limited compared to mass producers (such as Usaburo). His dolls appear today primarily at specialized Asian art auctions and vintage collector platforms, where they are appreciated for their typical "Mid-Century Japanese" aesthetic.
The height is 34 cm; please view the photos for the condition.
Please note: The items are not new, so there will always be scratches, discoloration, and/or tears/dents present to a greater or lesser extent.
Specifications
CategoryDecorative ObjectsConditionGoodColorsMulti ColorMaterialWoodNumber of items1Height34 cmWidth9 cmDepth9 cmSigns of usageDiscoloring, Stains, ScratchesSeller locationKerkrade, NetherlandsDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
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About this seller
Private sellerKerkrade, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since April 2023 • 0 sales