A LARGE UNUSUAL LEATHER SHIELD

THE SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY

Details

A LARGE UNUSUAL LEATHER SHIELD
The second half of the 17th Century
Of large circular and convex form constructed of black lacquered leather carved and decorated in gold and silver hiramakie with a design of ho-o birds, peony and chrysanthemums within a band of karakusa embellished with six ornamented gilt iron bosses, the obverse with two leather arm supports and grips, (slight old wear)
62cm. diam.

Lot Essay

Shields were not used in Japan. They were made in Bengal and brought to Japan to be lacquered. There is a record that Bengal ordered 178 shields in 1656, 25 in 1663 and 25 in 1675.

See a similar example which bears the arms of Constantijn Ranst, The Dutch East India Company's chief merchant in Deshima in 1667-1668 and Governor of Bengal from 1669-1673, in Lacquer An International History and Collector's Guide, (The Crowood Press, 1984), p. 132 and W. Watson, Lacquer Work in Asia and Beyond (Percival David Foundation, 1982), p. 158.

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