ANNAPOLIS, MD. — On October 15, Theriault’s hosted The Golden Age of Ningyo, Japanese Dolls From the Ayervais Collection auction. “Ningyo” is translated as “Japanese dolls,” but literally means “human form.” Assembled over more than 30 years, this collection from Michael Ayervais of New York included examples that have been shown in exhibitions worldwide and published in Ningyo: The Art of the Japanese Doll by Alan Scott Pate (2016), who was a consultant and cataloger of the sale. A victor of the auction was an important Musha-Ningyo warrior by Hara Shugetsu III (1826-1899) from the early Meiji era (1868-77), which sold for $27,500. The warrior was fully armored and seated on a leather camp stool, with a carved and gofun-finished wooded head and hair, inset glass eyes and a wood signature plaque bearing the artist’s name. Shugetsu was descended from what is considered the most important doll-making lineage in pre-modern Japan, and this doll was the sole representative of his work in the sale. Price quoted with buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. A more extensive review to follow.