KOFUN PERIOD (LATE 3RD-6TH CENTURY)

This figure may have been made quite early in the Kofun period as it does not display the attached clay armour of some soldier haniwa, being decorated instead with an incised surface pattern indicating a protective armour plate on the front chest and a pointed triangular helmet on the head. The face protruding out of the head shows a different texture to the neck area, which can be interpreted as a head protection leaving only the face exposed. Other examples displaying the same dress code are known. Two incised triangles on the face could be protective magic paint, similar to the red face paint seen on haniwa from the Kanto region.

The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd thermoluminescence test, no. N100f10, is consistent with the dating of this lot.