An okegawa-do gusoku [armour] | The helmet signed Myochin | Edo period, 18th century

An okegawa-do gusoku [armour]

The helmet signed Myochin

Edo period, 18^th century

Kabuto [helmet]:

the fine sixty-two plate russet iron bowl with raised ridges and exposed rivets, terminating in a five-stage shakudo and copper-gilt tehen kanamono, russet iron peak, the large stenciled Dutch leather turnbacks applied with three copper-gilt mokko mon [quince flower crests], the peak and turnbacks with copper-gilt nawame fukurin [ornamental border with impressed rope pattern], four-tiered black lacquer neck guard with spaced lacing in green braid, the bottom tier inset with leather decorated with a three-clawed dragon in gold and black hiramaki-e, the gold and red lacquered maedate [forecrest] in the form of a dragon before flames

Mempo [face mask]:

the russet iron face mask forged with fierce expression, deep wrinkles and open mouth, detachable nose plate, silver inlay moustache and chin tuft, red lacquer interior, three-tiered throat protector laced in matching braid, the bottom tier inset in leather with dragon design

Do [cuirass]:

 the black lacquered iron cuirass comprised of horizontal plates applied with large gilt seated rivets, red leather edging and nawame fukurin, inset leather gyoyo [shoulder strap covers], seven tassets of five-tiered black lacquer kusazuri [skirt], all components laced in matching braid and applied with Dutch leather with three-clawed dragon to the bottom tier of the kusazuri, copper-gilt kanagu [metal fittings] pierced and chased with chrysanthemums, karakusa and inome-bori [boar's eye openings]

Sode, kote [shoulder guards and sleeves]:

six-tiered black lacquer shoulder guards, the bottom tier inset in leather with further three-clawed dragon design, chainmail sleeves lined with silk brocade, the iron tekko [gauntlets] applied with further copper-gilt mokko mon

Haidate, sune-ate [thigh protectors and shin guards]:

black lacquer kawara-zane ['roof tile' plated] thigh protectors lined with Chinese silk brocade embroidered with gold thread, the shin guards applied in mail and black lacquer

Accessories: 

accompanied with an armour storage box

Mounted on the armour storage box: 158 cm., 62¼ in. high (including fittings)

The armour storage box: 54.5 x 44 x 40 cm., 21½ x 17¼ x 15¾ in.

Please note this lot is sold without an armour display stand illustrated.