Protective Grandmother Doll (ningyō). Arita Porcelain. Edo Japan, 17th Century.

Porcelain figurine representing an elderly woman dressed in a kimono decorated with auspicious symbols (stylized Buddhist treasures, scrolls, incense bags). She holds a suspended fan (uchiwa), painted with a finely enameled floral decoration. The face is full, smiling, with slanted eyes, a small high black bun and a gentle and benevolent expression. The features are naive, almost childlike. The base is unglazed. This type of figurine is among the first Japanese porcelains in human form produced in the Arita kilns. Unlike the Bijin (pretty women) made at this time for export to Europe, our figurine exceptionally represents an old lady. This is the representation of a caring grandmother, Grandmother dolls made of wood or boiled cardboard covered with textiles were offered as gifts to little Japanese girls to ward off demons and illnesses, and ward off evil. The dolls were placed in the child's room to protect their sleep. Our Grandmother presented here is exceptionally made of porcelain, which is very rare and perhaps unique. It was the special order of an important Japanese family. This type of doll was never exported to Europe, the subject and its function not being culturally understood there. It was probably offered on the day of Hina Matsuri (little girls' festival) or for a birth. Early Edo around 1680–1720. Perfect condition. H: 295mm Its large size, its very refined decoration, its protective function and its uniqueness make it an exceptional collector's item, of great historical and museographic interest.