Antique 13” Morimura Brothers Japan Bisque & Nanking Cotton Red Hair Doll

Description

Antique 13” Morimura Brothers Japan Bisque & Nanking Cotton Red Hair Blue Eye Doll
This fascinating Japanese doll was in my husband's grandmother's collection.
Her head is made of bisque and the back of her neck is clearly marked “5” then “MB” in a circle containing a unique symbol, then “Japan” – all of which is easily identified as a Morimura Brothers doll.
Research indicates that Morimura Brothers was a Japanese import house based in New York City, and they imported Japanese made bisque head German-like copies of dolls to the American market from 1915-1926.
Her body is 13” tall and her head circumference is 6-1/2”.
She has nicely painted upper and lower eye lashes/brows, and her blue glass eyes are not sleepy eyes.
Her mouth is open and displays a very detailed tongue and upper teeth (see photos).
Her bisque is in great shape other than some glue spots under her hair and on her chest where someone apparently glued the top of her undershirt to her body.
Her red braided hair appears original, complete with a satin bow that matches her gown.
Her body is most interesting.
Initially upon undressing her, I thought her body was leather.
It certainly has the look and feel of leather.
Upon closer inspection, however, I was confused by its woven appearance (see greatly enlarged photos).
After reading about Morimura Brothers dolls, I believe her body to be made of Nanking Cotton which was common of their dolls.
Nanking Cotton is described as a kind of pale buff/yellowish, firm, durable fabric formerly made from a natural-colored Chinese cotton.
Apparently garments made of this material are also referred to as Nankeen. Her body is in excellent condition with metal button type connections at the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints and only what appear to be a few stray pencil/pen marks.
Her bisque forearms and hands are also in excellent condition.
She wears what appears to be her original beautiful cream colored satin dress with matching lace trim and a touch of pink stitching (matching her hairbow) at the waist.
Other than a few age spots/stained places, her dress is actually in very good condition to be 100 years old, with no tears.
Her undergarments, however, are a complete mess.
I say this because they are absolutely falling apart, and strangely, all lightly stitched together.
Nevertheless, I carefully removed and redressed her because I felt it was really important to get photos of the excellent condition of her unique body.
The upper shirt may be original and has several tears (as in, it’s barely hanging on).
Oddly, it is sewn to both the bloomers and the skirt.
The skirt is also barely connected.
I emphasize that the undergarments have issues.
One has to question if they are really necessary to keep.
Of the undergarments, the bloomers are in the best condition and as the photos show, they are not in the best of condition.
I did NOT remove the green knee high socks or black shoes because the socks also seem to be sewn on.
I leave that inspection to the buyer but I have no reason to believe her lower legs to be in anything but the same excellent condition as the rest of her body.
She also wears thigh high lace leggings.
She comes with her stand.
Her last three homes in our family have been non-smoking; no odor.
Photos should be considered part of the description.
As is.
She will be wrapped very safely for shipping with tracking or is available for pickup in Downtown Houston.
Please e-mail any questions.
I am only the inheritor of a doll collection but I will do my best to answer.
Antique 13” Morimura Brothers Japan Bisque & Nanking Cotton Red Hair Doll.