Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board



Message Board
Asian Art Forums

AsianArt.com Main Forum Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Group: Message Board
Re: Japanese lady porcelain bust

Posted By: Bill h
Posted Date: Sep 09, 2011 (02:57 PM)

Message
I believe your sculpture is meant to represent a traditional Japanese pearl diver or 'ama', based on the way the hair is modeled trailing down as if wet. The ama is generally depicted in Japanese art as performing her work in the nude. Most representations consist of woodblock prints and ivory okimono.

I've pasted a link below to an old web gallery listing, showing a Kutani standing ama figurine indicated to have been made in the 1950's. I can't fathom (pun intended) when yours might have been made, but it is respectably modeled and painted for any age in my opinion.

If the stand is simply marked 'China' as opposed to 'Made in China', perhaps the owner had it custom-carved circa 1890-1920. Is the figurine itself marked as made in Japan?

Best regards,

Bill H.

Link :JapanPearlDiver

Post a Response

Responses:



Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board