In Japanese folklore, Daruma is widely seen as a symbol of good fortune and success through perseverance. Until the 1970’s the making of Daruma images was a cottage industry that was slow and laborious. The process began by covering a roughly carved wooden mold with thin, moist paper pressed tightly and evenly against the surface. Over this, successive layers of paper were glued until a desired thickness was achieved. When the paper was thoroughly dry, it was removed from the mold. This entailed cutting through the paper with a sharp knife, beginning at a point just above the face and continuing over the top of the head, down the back, across the bottom and up to a point on the lower front of the figure. The molded paper could then be opened and slipped off the form. When the edges had been rejoined and sealed, the figure was affixed to a clay-ring base which supplied the weight and balance to produce the requisite self-righting proclivity. Finally, each figure was carefully painted (red, white and gold) and decorated by hand and allowed to dry. (See “Daruma: The Founder of Zen in Japanese Art and Popular Culture” by H. Neill McFarland.) The true meaning of Japanese folk art (“mingei”), of “objects born, not made,” of function and simplicity, is admirably illustrated in this wonderful old Daruma mold. Overall condition is good considering the nature of its usage. There are cracks resulting from age and dryness, which are clearly shown in the enlargement photos. However, this does not detract from the folk art value of this heavy unusual sculpture. Today these Daruma molds are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and large examples like this one are rare even in Japan. Dimensions: 11 ¾” high, 8” deep, 9” wide. Weight: 10 pounds.