Set of two tall vintage Kokeshi dolls by Kiyohara Takao
Beautiful traditional Kokeshi set of two tall dolls in monochrome black by Kiyohara Takao. He was an established craftsman born in 1916 – date of death unknown. Little is known about his background or where he studied. He lived in Shiroish (Miyagi Prefecture) and won several awards, including the Prime Minister’s Prize in 1989. He was also an army pilot and was considered one of the pioneers who helped found the Sosaku (creative) Kokeshi movement. His Kokeshi looks like traditional designs, but tend more towards the creative Sosaku (shingata) style. The black stripes on the body are hand painted using a potter’s wheel. The artisan needs a steady hand to do this. Kiyohara’s Kokeshi dolls can be recognized by the combination of bold flowers and stripes on the body. Also note the cute facial expressions of both dolls. Both are clearly from the hand of Kiyohara, according to the style and signature. The small doll is a bit older than the larger one, dating from the 60s and 70s. The set is in good vintage condition.
Style: traditional/Shingata style
Material: solid Mizuki wood
Height: 36 + 30 cm
Diameter foot: 7 cm
Signed: yes
Productcode: KO-2077
SOLD
Vintage
Look at the pictures carefully to assess the condition of these vintage items. Read how to take care of Kokeshi on my FAQ page.
