Asian Folk Art Appraisal

Carved Wooden Figurine (Likely Asian Folk Art)

This is a hand-carved wooden figure, possibly depicting a character from folk tales or traditional performance. The figure stands upright on a small, rectangular base which is then mounted on a larger, irregular dark-colored stand. The primary figure is light-colored wood, likely painted, featuring vibrant red, yellow, and white clothing details. The upper garment appears to be a jacket or robe in red with yellow and white striped accents. The lower garments are pantaloons or a decorative skirt, also in yellow with red and white patterns. The figure's face is distinctly Asian in appearance, with exaggerated features including slanted eyes with prominent dark brows, a small nose, and red lips. A black topknot or elaborate hair arrangement is visible on the head, partially obscured by a red and black headpiece with pointed ear-like protrusions. One hand, possibly the right one, holds a thin, curved object, perhaps a stick or a fan. The craftsmanship appears to be folk art in style, with visible carving marks and possibly some amateurish paint application, suggesting it is not a mass-produced item. The condition seems generally good, with some minor wear to the paint, consistent with its age. There are no obvious signs of major damage or repairs from the visible image. The base and stand show some scuffs and dust, indicating handling and display. Given the 'Japanese figure' label, it likely falls into the category of tourist art or decorative folk art from an Asian country, possibly mid-20th century or later.