EDO PERIOD (18TH CENTURY), THE CUIRASS SIGNED MYOCHIN KI MUNESUKE SAKU [MYOCHIN MUNESUKE (1688-1735)]

Details

A Suit of Armor with a Mogami Do
Edo period (18th century), the cuirass signed Myochin ki Munesuke saku [Myochin Munesuke (1688-1735)]
Laced in blue with a six-plate iron suji-kabuto with a five-stage gilt-copper and shakudo tehen kanamono formed as chrysanthemums on the top of the bowl and decorated on the sides with moths in kebori and silver, gold and copper overlays, the small turnbacks lacquered black with gold family crests, the helmet fitted with a five-lame solid-plate neck guard lacquered to simulate leather; the face mask fitted with a three-lame solid-plate throat guard; the cuirass an iron mogami do (constructed of hinged horizontal plates) fitted with eight sections of five-lame solid-plate tassets lacquered black; lacquered-leather thigh guards; iron splint shin guards and foot guards; two extra face masks comprising an iron mask with vertical standing flanges on the cheeks and a five-lame lacquered-leather throat guard and a russet-lacquer face mask applied with a stiff bristle moustache and a four-lame solid-plate throat guard of false scales lacquered gold; wood storage box; armor stand

Provenance

Thomas Mendenhall, Northampton, Massachusetts

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. This lot is exempt from Sales Tax.

Lot Essay

This armor was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1975. According to the donor, Thomas Mendenhall, the armor and accouterments were acquired by his grandfather in Japan in the 1870s. Mendenhall was president of Smith College from 1959 through 1975.

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