92 - A MARU NI MITSUBA AOI MON NIMAI-DO GUSOKU (TWO-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) WITH AN IMPRESSIVE GOLD-LACQUERED HINENO-ZUNARI KABUTO AND SHACHIHOKO MAEDATE

A MARU NI MITSUBA AOI MON NIMAI-DO GUSOKU (TWO-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) WITH AN IMPRESSIVE GOLD-LACQUERED HINENO-ZUNARI KABUTO AND SHACHIHOKO MAEDATE Japan, late Edo period (1615-1868) The iron components predominantly lacquered in gold and laced in dark blue and violet, mounted on purple and silver ornamental brocade, and fitted with gilt-metal kanamono including kiku (chrysanthemum) design, the imperial symbol of Japan, and the maru ni mitsuba aoi mon, associated with the Tokugawa clan. The armor comprises: Kabuto (helmet): A Hineno-zunari kabuto with a russet-iron bowl formed of large smooth side plates framed by gold-lacquered iron plates articulated with parallel raised ribs, running over the crown and along the lower sides. The gold-lacquered iron mabisashi of broad, angular form, with pronounced downturned sides, boldly embossed stylized eyebrows and surmounted by a gold-lacquered wood maedate in the form of a shachihoko (dragonfish), finely carved with scales and fins and detailed in red and black, flanked by gently upturned fukigaeshi, all above the six-lame gold-lacquered iron jikoro. Menpo (Mask): A black-lacquered iron menpo with a removable nose plate secured by turning pins, cast with pierced nostrils and an open mouth with red-lacquered lips, revealing a full set of gold-lacquered teeth, applied with a bushy brown hair moustache and a small pointed chin beard, designed with deeply embossed wrinkles, the chin with ase-nagashi, and the cheeks with bent anchoring posts, all fitted with a five-lame gold-lacquered iron yodarekake, the lowest lame applied with three gilt-metal plaques incised with foliate designs, pierced with inome (boar's eye), and applied with kiku-form bosses. Do (Chest Plate): A violet-laced gold-lacquered iron nimai-do (two-piece cuirass), with seven sections of five-lame kusazuri laced in dark blue and violet, the chest fitted with a pair of kiku-form agemaki-no-kan suspending orange agemaki, the back similarly fitted with a third kiku-form agemaki-no-kan suspending a violet agemaki, above two kiku-form bosses. Sode (Shoulder Guard): A pair of six-lame sode, the kanmuri-ita (top lame) applied with printed leather and kiku-form bosses, and further applied with three circular gilt-metal kanamono decorated with the maru ni mitsuba aoi mon, associated with the Tokugawa clan. Each sode fitted with an elongated gilt-metal plaque incised with foliate designs and terminating in a kiku-form agemaki-no-kan suspending an orange agemaki. Haidate (Thigh Guard): A pair of gold-lacquered iron haidate. Kote (Armored Sleeves) and Tekko (Gauntlets): A pair of gold-lacquered iron and kusari (chain mail) kote and tekko, the elbows applied with kiku-form plates. Suneate (Shin Guards): A pair of gold-lacquered iron, kusari (chain mail), and leather suneate. Kegutsu (Shoes): A pair of high black fur-covered kegutsu with purple brocade shafts. Condition: Good condition with expected wear. The kabuto with chips and losses to the gold lacquer, partly with associated touchups, particularly to the mabisashi around the maedate fitting. The maedate with a loss to the tail fin, a repair to its left fin, and minor chips to the gold lacquer, some with associated touchups. The menpo with a dent and abrasion to the chin, as well as minor surface chips and cracks. Overall with light scratches, cracks, chips, rubbing, and small losses to the lacquer, partly with associated touchups, particularly along the upper edge of the do to the back and sides. The lacing with fraying and minor losses. The textiles with wear, fraying, and minor losses. Overall presenting well. With an armor stand and later associated wood yoroibako (storage box), black-lacquered and decorated in hiramaki-e with a large stylized kiri (paulownia) mon, the character mae 前 [front/advance], and a geometric crest of a circle enclosing a square. The shachihoko is a mythical creature combining the head of a dragon with the body of a carp and was traditionally believed to control water and protect buildings against fire. Best known as an architectural ornament placed on the roofs of Japanese castles, temples, and important structures, shachihoko were also occasionally represented in decorative arts. Auction comparison: Compare a related gold-lacquered nimai-do gusoku made for a daimyo of the Tokugawa shogun family, dated to the 18 th century, at Christie's, Japanese & Korean Art, 24 March 2010, New York, lot 589 (sold for USD 134,500 or approx. EUR 186,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).