A Suit of armor (Tosei Gusoku) 17th / 18th century

a complete set, comprising a thirty-two plate russet iron suji-bachi helmet, the large mabizashi (peak) with fukurin, and five-stage shakudo tehen kanamono, fitted with four-stage ita-jikoro (neck guard) and black lacquer fukigaeshi (blow back) decorated with shakudo ido (well) mon (family crest), with a later gilt leaf-shaped maedate, the sides of the helmet with later gama (frog skin) textured asymmetric red wood horns wakidate (side decoration), the russet red-lacquered iron resseimen (fierce faced) mempo (half mask), with black lacquer beard and six-stage yodarekake (throat protector), the iron and lacquer nimai (two piece) dangae okegawa do (cuirass) with round iron studs, a hinged door to the lower right, the seven-stage kusazuri (hip guards) en suite, a pair of  chu-sode (shoulder protectors) and hyotan gote (arm guards), Iyo lacquer haidate (thigh protectors) and a pair of Shino suneate (shin guards)

Helmet - There is light rust on helmet bowl and the neck guard has lacquer crackles but generally in good condition. The side horn decoration and front leaf decorations are later additions. Mask - The lacquer has slight crackles on the mask and throat protector but generally in good condition. Cuirass - There is some rust on iron breast plates and lacquer kusazuri has some usual crackles but all the pieces are present and in good condition. Arm guards - There are very slight lacquer losses to shell decorations. Shoulder guards - There are some usual lacquer crackles but in good condition. Thigh guards - There are some unevenness to the lacquer and dryness. The textiles are worn and broken. Shin guards - Some iron strips need to be sewn but all the pieces are present and in good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.