Antique wooden kanban shop sign, for oar ornaments, ireko, Japan
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Folk Art: Pre 1920: Item # 1447311
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Folk Art: Pre 1920: Item # 1447311
Please refer to our stock # 10508 when inquiring.
$1,300.00
Kanban or shop sign. The sign indicates that the store would sell or manufacture ornamental pin holders for the oars on a boat (ireko), in the shape of dolls. According to the sketch pasted to the back of the kanban, this holder is mounted on the oar and is placed over a pin mounted on the boat edge. The oar pivots around that pin, so that the oar moves the boat through the water.
The pin holders are decorated as a male and a female doll in court style, their mouths wide open. The words ireko ningyo are branded into the wooden board. On the back of the board paper label with a flying plover and the words ireko ningyo; another paper label shows the proper names of the different parts of a rowing oar. Ireko ningyo is almost a play of words. It means nesting dolls (doll in doll in doll), but it also means pin holder on an oar in the shape of a doll.
Wood with color pigments, iron nails. Mingei (folk art).
Japan, early 20th century.
Measurements: W 19 in.; H 8 to 10.75 in.
Paint virtually completely weathered away, upper part missing, old repairs with iron nails
