Featured Need help before I buy this. 18th century Japanese Samurai doll.

Merry Christmas,

A friend offered me this doll and she told me its a 18th century piece. She is asking £1900 GBP for it which is approx $2400 US. I have not much knowledge about this subject and need help.

Its sits in a glass case and the doll without case is around 32cm / 12.5 inch in height and width.

Should i buy it? Is the price ok or is it to expensive?

Any info/input is welcome and sorry for the bad resolution pics but thats all i have at the moment.

It comes with this story.
The history of the doll stems from the growing up of a warrior minded son. When the son of the house learns the ways of the Samurai warrior Honour, Loyalty, Respect, Discipline etc., his father will bestow the doll to him as a reminder. A sign of acknowledgement that his son has come of age and responsibility The son will then pass the doll down to the next generation. It's a family heirloom thot is passed down generations.

 

it looks extremely well made.....but for $2400...i'd want more provenance...than a say so and a story !

 

In my personal opinion, $2400 seems like a lot to risk without a proper appraisal. If you plan to buy it, I would first get it appraised by a reputable expert.

Seems like your friend first tried to sell it on Gum Tree. Since it didn't sell, I'd be a bit cautious going in.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/antiques/japanese-samurai-warrior-/1321498303

 

https://www.japaneseartsite.com/items/1353948/Japanese-Seated-Musha-Ningyo-Samurai-Minamoto-no

https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels...rrior-doll-japan-late-18th-century-edo-period

figuring out if it's 18th or 19th century will take an expert.....
prices seem to be all over the place.........

 

Here is some background:
http://www.antiquejapanesedolls.com/musha_pop/musha_descript.html
http://www.antiquejapanesedolls.com/pub_musha/musha.html
https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/dictio/senshoku/hina.html

Auction values are usually under $200 unless the doll is very elaborate. Retail prices are high and all over the board. (it's the "They're cool looking" factor)

 

Absolutely no intention of seeming to be unkind but don't feel guilty about being wary of buying the doll because it is offered by a friend. And it is very expensive for what it seems to be. Be hard headed and get it checked out.

 

A specialized field in the world of collecting. Not sure doll is the correct term as it doesn't appear to be a toy.

 

Me personally, I would not buy it.
Particularly since you don't know what you are buying.

 

May I ask with the nicest possible intentions... What is your motivation in buying this item? In other words, why are you considering spending $2,400 on something you know nothing about?

Debora

 

I was wondering the same.
Are you buying for yourself, because you like it?
or
Are you buying to resell?
or
Are you buying because you think this doll might be a good investment later on?

 

"Cash only ."
and I wonder that such disgusting stuff is accepted on a British platform with a branch in Australia.
would they also accept Mussolini dolls and nativity sets with Waffen-SS figures showing the battle of the Bulge ?

 

What do you mean? The samurai doll?

 

It's a nice doll. That said, a ton of these were made in Japan as souvenir ware right up into the 1950s. Around here the estate sale price would be about $150 and they might even get it. I don't know which makers sell for big buck$$$ and which are pretty much giveaways. If you're buying it to help a friend out of a jam, that's one thing. Otherwise more research is needed.

 

I agree with all the others who advise against buying although I know nothing bout it. IMO it’s nuts to spend thousands on something you don’t collect and know nothing about. More importantly, I’d also be wary of a “friend” who is asking you more than they asked strangers since they’d still have to pay fees to the site, beside the fact that no one else wanted it at that price.

 

Sorry, just looked and it appears the site is free but regardless, your friend is still asked you the same price they’d ask a stranger after not being able to sell it.

 

I'd be leery of any "friend" who told me this item dated to the 1700s.

Debora