Tiny Antique Japanese Carved Bone Articulated Doll antique schoolhouse that this drawing dates to

that this drawing dates to the mid- to late 19th century

with a few scratches/wear to the paint in just a few spots

and of interest at least as much for what they reveal about the painter as the subject

I think it seems both quintessentially early 1980s and also timeless

4 3/8" long x 3" across

Tiny Antique Japanese Carved Bone Articulated Doll antique schoolhouse that this drawing dates toThis little woman, carved of bone, fits easily in the palm of ones hand, and folds up to be even tinier. I find things like this just amazing, including the beautifully detailed carving of her hair and face, enhanced with black and red pigment. I have found a few antique Japanese dolls like this that were acrobats, suspended from an armature which they could be flipped over and around, but I believe this one was just made as a tiny doll just as is.