Japanese Empress doll, part of a pair of Emperor and Empress dolls, dating to the early Meiji period, 19th century. The Empress wears an elaborate metal and wire headdress decorated with floral motifs and holds a wooden folding fan ornamented with pine and plum branches, traditional symbols of longevity and auspicious fortune. Dressed in a magnificent “twelve gowns” (jūnihitoe) style court costume, extensively worked in brilliantly colored and iridescent silks. Preserved in exceptionally fine condition.
