Chinese Wire and Cloth Doll kimona Plus masked figures with sun-like

Plus masked figures with sun-like clown collars on either end

and I think it is the degree to which they take themselves seriously as portraits that I find so appealing

MA that included fine objects from around the world

marked sterling on back

Upon moving to Nova Scotia

Chinese Wire and Cloth Doll kimona Plus masked figures with sun-likeOh, so lovely! I don't know a lot about this doll, but I am pretty certain it is Chinese, and perhaps a "Chinese Opera" doll, which from what I understand were sold at Chinese opera performances as momentos, and often also then converted into puppets for use re enacting the operas. From what I can tell, the body is made of wire covered with cloth, such that the arms and legs can be manipulated some. I'd guess the head as well as the boots are made of