An Etchu-nari kabuto [Etchu style helmet] and a Myochin school mempo [face mask] | Momoyama - Edo period, late 16th - early 17th century

The Property of a European Collector

An Etchu-nari kabuto [Etchu style helmet] and a Myochin school mempo [face mask]

Momoyama - Edo period, late 16^th - early 17^th century 

the richly patinated russet iron bowl of three-plate Etchu type zunari [head-shaped] form], terminating in a four-stage copper-gilt and shakudo tehen kanamono of typical chrysanthemum form, the mabisashi [peak] with hammered brow, the large black lacquered leather fukigaeshi [turnbacks] applied with copper-gilt maru ni ichimonji mon [encircled one crest], four-tiered black lacquer shikoro [neck guard] with sugake odoshi [spaced lacing] in dark blue braid, the gold lacquered maedate [forecrest] in the form of a dragon (illustrated) and another in the form of a stylised crescent moon, the red lacquered iron mempo [face mask] forged in one piece with wrinkled face, prominent jaw and mouth slightly ajar, black lacquer interior, two-tiered yodaregake [throat protector] with kebiki odoshi [close-spaced lacing] in matching braid and stenciled doeskin with cherry blossoms, this lot is sold with a wood helmet stand as illustrated

The bowl to peak: 28 cm., 11 in. 

The shikoro to peak: 35 cm., 13¾ in. 

The mempo: 16 cm., 6¼ in.