Lot Essay
A similar piece is illustrated in G.C. Stone, A Glossary of The Constructions, Decorations and Use of Arms and Armour, (Jack Brussel, New York, 1961), p.172.
Armour for the horse was not used by the Japanese until the late 17th Century and then more for display than any practical defence. It consisted of small rectangular plates stitched to a fabric backing and covered the horses neck, shoulders and hind quarters. The plates were usually gold lacquered with sometimes a mon design worked into the overall pattern. Most noticeable was the chamfron (bamen) which covered with horses head. usually made of leather or wood they were modelled to represent grotesque horses, dragons, kirin or demons. Iron bamen are quite rare and only a few examples have been recorded.
Armour for the horse was not used by the Japanese until the late 17th Century and then more for display than any practical defence. It consisted of small rectangular plates stitched to a fabric backing and covered the horses neck, shoulders and hind quarters. The plates were usually gold lacquered with sometimes a mon design worked into the overall pattern. Most noticeable was the chamfron (bamen) which covered with horses head. usually made of leather or wood they were modelled to represent grotesque horses, dragons, kirin or demons. Iron bamen are quite rare and only a few examples have been recorded.