c.1890 Japan Meiji Period Wooden Kobe Doll Dice Shaker – Rare

Kobe Dolls where produced in Japanese from around 1890 until 1920, in the reign of Mutsuhito Meiji. They were named after the ‘Port of Kobe’, Hyōgo in the Keihanshin area and were sold at souvenir shops on Motomachi Shopping Street and near Nunobiki Waterfall mainly for the tourist trade.

The unique handmade wooden dolls made from dark local wood, possibly Ebony or similar, some had ivory features. Most are small, under 6 inches tall, and some have several moving parts, the mechanical wooden dolls unique to the Kobe area.

The mechanical Kobe dolls with a mechanism that often made their eyes and tongues protrude like a cartoon creature. They might play an instrument, eat or drink, perform gymnastics or be chopping up sushi! Kobe dolls with ivory inserts made prior to 1920 are most collectable.

Now days these quirky dolls are extremely hard to find especially in perfect condition, some of the larger mechanical examples when found in good condition can fetch into the three figures!!

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