Posted 4 years ago
kwqd
(1184 items)
These cast iron geisha dancers are between 9.5" and 10" high and each weighs a few ounces over 3 lbs. The casting quality and finish are pretty good. These are still pretty common on on line auctions and some examples have "Made in Japan" labels on the bottom. Most sites date them to the 1950s. These are probably so common because they are made of iron and fairly indestructible. They also come in a few finishes, including black, gold and green. There are at least six poses for these figures that I have seen.
What is unusual about this pair is the large size. Most other examples I have seen are either 7.5" or 5.5" tall. These two are giants in comparison. Being as tall and heavy as this set is and also a bit unstable, I bet they dented a few mid-Century coffee tables when the family cat or inebriated guest knocked one over. These had a few minor scrapes to the finish but a black Sharpie covered any damage. The finish is shiny so any seeming damage to this pair is due to reflected light. None that I have seen have a maker's mark and there is enough variation in execution, casting quality and finish that I think they were made by multiple mystery foundries. I found a fairly crude set of two that had an OMC diamond shape label (Otagiri Manufacturing Company). This set is representative of the best quality I have seen for these figures so I was happy to find them for $7 for the pair.
Thanks for loving my cast iron geisha dancers fortapache, dav2no1 and Hoot60!
who'd a thought cast iron could look so graceful?
Beautiful & unique cast iron dancers, these are fantastic Kevin
These are wonderful!! Great find.
Thanks for your comment ho2cultcha! I know, right? Very delicate looking but they are definitely blunt objects and could do a lot of damage, though.
Thanks for your comment Jenni! I really like these. I would like to get a couple more but finding them at a reasonable price is difficult.
Thanks for your comment jscott0363! They are pretty cool and easy to find, but the nicer ones are not cheap.
Thanks for loving my geisha dancers elanski, aura, Thomas, jscott0363, Jenni, ho2cultcha, Kevin, Watchsearcher, mcheconi and PhilDMorris!
Thanks Ben!
Thanks for loving my geisha dancers plein-air-painter!
I have not seen these here in Aus, maybe they hit an American style nerve.
Pretty cool, and statement pieces usable as weapons.
Thanks for your comment, Karen. Yeah, could have just been imported by an American importer, but there are probably so many different makers that it is a puzzle. You can actually use them like small axes by wrapping your hand around the feet and using the sleeves as blades. Maybe I am thinking too much about this?
Thanks for loving my geisha dancers Karen, Collectables59 and valentino97!
Thanks lizzycbw!
pretty cool...
Thanks Shuzbut! These are hard to find in this size..
Thank you vcal!