A kawari kabuto [usually shaped helmet] and mempo [face mask] | Edo period, early 17th century

A kawari kabuto [usually shaped helmet] and mempo [face mask]

Edo period, early 17^th century

the black lacquered iron bowl of kinchaku-nari [drawstring purse] form, black lacquer double mabisashi [peak], the lowest tier hammered with furrowed brow in uchidashi [repoussé], the fukugaeshi [turn backs] similarly decorated and pierced with sagari fuji mon [descending wisteria crests], three-tiered gold and black lacquer itamono-jikoro [neck guard with solid plates] with sugake-odoshi [spaced lacing] in blue braid, gilt wood and silver maedate [forecrest] in the form of the hokuto [northern star constellation], gilt wakidate [lateral crests], the russet iron ressei mempo [face mask with fierce expression] forged with deep wrinkles, flared nostrils and open mouth, detachable nose plate, riveted ear plates, red lacquer interior, four-tiered gold and black lacquer yodaregake [throat protector], this lot has an accompanying wood stand, but not the one illustrated in the photographs

The bowl to peak: 22.5 cm., 8⅞ in. 

The shikoro to peak: 32 x 12⅝ in. 

The mempo: 18 cm., 7⅛ in.