Q A box of military memorabilia from an estate includes a ribbon with the inscriptions “Grand Army of the Republic” and “Post No. 45, Honolulu, H.I.” Since Hawaii was an independent kingdom during the Civil War, how could that be?
A The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization composed of Union Civil War veterans and formed in Illinois in 1866, was a political advocacy group. It was commonly accepted for several decades that no Republican candidate could be voted into office without GAR backing. The organization survived until 1956, when its final member died.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the population of the Hawaiian Islands included veterans of the Civil War who had moved to the Pacific Kingdom, most of European descent, though some were family members of missionaries sent to convert the native population.
Hawaii’s GAR Post was established in 1882, with 110 members. At that time, overall GAR membership numbered about 400,000. In 1884, King David Kalakaua set aside land as a cemetery for Civil War veterans; at that time, 34 veterans already had been interred there.
The GAR remained active as the Kingdom of Hawaii became the Republic of Hawaii and then the U.S. Territory of Hawaii. But it disbanded in 1930, well before Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959.
The scarcity of this kind of membership badge and its superior condition indicate a pre-auction estimate of $150-$300.
Q What are the origin and significance of my 3-inch-tall carved wood figure in a stovepipe hat? The top of the hat unscrews to reveal a pair of dice measuring about a quarter-inch on each side.
A This question was asked last week during the free Wednesday-evening appraisals held regularly at the Alameda gallery of Michaan’s Auctions. I was stumped — until I learned about the wonderful world of Kobe Ningyo.
In Japanese, “Ningyo” is a synonym for “doll.” Japan’s rich doll-making tradition dates back to the Edo period (1603-1867). During that time, Japan engaged in very little international trade, and the country’s highly stylized forms of art, writing, poetry and dance were practically unknown in the West. The dolls dating from this period include Hino Ningyo — figures from the Imperial Court, traditionally given as presents; Isho Ningyo — fashion dolls; and Karakuri Ningyo — mechanical puppets.
Kobe Ningyo is a type of doll dating from a later period — the end of the 19th century, when Japan finally opened up to foreign trade. Sailors landing in the port city of Kobe wanted small, inexpensive souvenirs, and local artisans began producing these dolls.
Kobe Ningyo generally are pocket-size items with simple mechanical features. Typically endowed with ghoulish features, they may depict musicians, doctors, monks, sailors, etc.
Unlike the older Japanese dolls, Kobe Ningyo are simply carved, unpainted and seldom embellished with textiles. But they may have bits of ivory or contrasting wood colors, and their mechanical features may include a wheel that can be turned, a lid that can be opened or features that move when the doll is turned or shaken.
The Kobe Ningyo doll, brought in by one of our regular customers, resembled a man dressed in black. The ivory eyes and lacquered tongue protrude when the doll is tilted. And if the top of the doll’s stovepipe hat is unscrewed, a pair of ivory dice can be found in the concealed compartment.
Kobe Ningyo figures show up frequently at auctions, usually selling in the $100-$200 range.
Jane Alexiadis is an appraiser with Michaan’s Auctions. Send questions to email@example.com. Include only three photos.