Pair of vintage folk-art hand carved Japanese Ainu figures

These superb Ainu “Man and Woman” solid wood statues were carved in the 1960/70s on the Hokkaido island of Japan. This is where the indigenous Ainu people originated and still live today in small numbers. They lived a simple hunting and fishing lifestyle, often depicted in their wood carving work which often depicts bears hunting for fish. Ainu is their word for “human”.

The Ainu cultural features can be seen in these carvings.. full beard, long shoulder-length hair on both statues, traditional robes folded around the body and fez-like hats.

Period: 1960s
Dimensions: H: 30cm | W: 13cm | D: 12cm (each)
Condition: Good – no cracks, only minor scuffs. Natural age related wear.
Weight: 2.1kg (combined)