Help Identifying Asian Dolls

Greetings,

I apologize if this isn’t the correct forum but I couldn’t find anyplace better fitting.

My mother has picked up these dolls in rather rapid succession. If anyone can understand any of the marks and tell us where the originated from or a ballpark age we would appreciate it. We don’t know if these are recent, vintage or antique.

This first doll feels ceramic, she is in a plexiglass case which doesn’t feel original. No marks of any kind that I can find.

This second has no case. She has a ceramic face, plastic hands. One small sticker stuck to the bottom.

And this last one which is in what we think is her original case. She’s the only one who came with a paper.

 

Lovely!
The second one is Chinese, the others are Japanese. Off for a bite to eat, will check in later.

 

Hi Bmrt!

Specialized field of doll collecting. It's possible the faces are papier mache....but I'm not saying that they are, only that they could be. Too difficult to tell just by the photo.

The plexi glass display box is probably original to the doll. I've seen several packaged that way.

I have no idea of their ages, but I believe they are on the newer side rather than antique.

Perhaps @Christmasjoy has some info?

 

I can't read your paper, but I can tell you it's upside down.

 

I have very little knowledge of newer dolls as I collect only antique dolls .. These are not play dolls but may be considered 'vintage' .. they are meant to be displayed just as you have them. Try looking on Ebay and type in Asian Doll ... you may find some there that may give you an idea of what you have ... Best of luck, Joy.

 

#1 A Japanese girl probably associated with the Cherry Blossom Festival. She is playing an Okedo hand drum.

#2 A lady from Imperial China celebrating New Year, possibly associated with a play from the Chinese Opera. In Imperial China ladies were not allowed to leave the Palace or the home compound. Just once a year, during the New Year celebrations, they were allowed out at night, with a lantern. Girls would meet boys, and it was considered the equivalent of Valentine's day.

#3 Again Japanese. I can't say much about her, except that white is often used for wedding kimonos. Whether she is a bride, during some ceremony, I don't know.

As Joy said, none of these are very old, check ebay for current prices.
If you have a Japanese restaurant or shop near you, you can take the text to them (right side up).

 

i like the 1st the best......
older jacquard woven clothes.....and those eyes......whoa !!!

 

The Japanese ones look older; they were sold to tourists and American GIs used to bring them back from leave in Tokyo and take them to Mom or the wife. Beyond that... dunno.

 

Good to know. Whoops!

 

Me too. All three have lovely faces. Even if not very old they don’t seem cheaply made.