Comes with Certificate of Authenticity, 

Some Damage to Figurine

1.There should be a stemmed flower in her hand but it broke off (I do have the flower) - see photos below- I have a picture from a Ad and it shows that the stem should extend below her hand - I don't have that part.

2. A petal has broken off one of the flowers in the back (not noticeable from the front) (I do have the petal)- see photos

I do have the stemmed flower and Petal (see last photo below) and will send it with the figurine.

The figurine except as noted is absolutely beautiful! I could not find any other damage on her.

I do package the figurine very carefully to ensure they arrive safely (I have sold several figurines like this one in this series and  shipped overseas and they all have arrived intact)

Please ask any questions

Sorry no Box

The Iris has played an important role in many civilzations. In Greek mythology, the goddess of the rainbow and the flower had the same name -- Iris. To the French it was first a symbol of allegiance to Clovis I, and then later appeared on the French flag, the basis for the Fleur-de-lis. Even the ancient Egyptians had the flower drawn on certain temple walls.

But perhaps the most interesting story of the iris is from Japan. At one time in Japan, it was forbidden to grow particular flowers not approved by the emperor in one's garden. The iris was one such flower, but the Japanese people skirted this prohibition by growing the lovely flower on their roofs. Even today, one can sometimes see these lush blooms growing on Japanese roofs.

Indeed, the iris is indigenous to Japan, and by the 17th century 200 varieties of the flower already existed there. By the 19th century, the iris had been exported to England, Belgium, Germany, North America and Russia.

One of the best-known among the varieties of irises in Japan is the ayame. Found in fields and on mountain sides from Hokkaido to Honshu and Kyushu, it grows to between 30 to 50 centimeters, with a purple flower that blooms early in the summer. Other varieties of the iris include the shiroayame, the kurymaayame and the chaboayame.

The iris, in Japan, is often used at felicitous occaisions, although because of its purple coloring it is rarely used for weddings. It is the emblem of May and the special flower of Boy's Doll-day, and important festival that takes place the first week of that month. Its leaves have been said to represent swords and--perhaps in light of this--the flower is considered a charm agains evil spirits.

Ayame, The Princess of the Iris Blossoms is a magnificent work of art that captures both the beauty of the natural flower and the charm of its varied history.