Lot Essay
This helmet exhibits in detail and style the work of the Kaga branch of the Myochin family of armourers who excelled in fine metalwork and distinctive, if somewhat eccentric, styling.
![A GOOD KAGA MYOCHIN EBOSHI KABUTO [HELMET IN THE FORM OF A COURT CAP]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/CKS/2001_CKS_06512_0131_000(034640).jpg?w=1)
SIGNED MUNETAKA, MID-EDO PERIOD (18TH CENTURY)
Details
A GOOD KAGA MYOCHIN EBOSHI KABUTO [HELMET IN THE FORM OF A COURT CAP]
Signed Munetaka, Mid-Edo Period (18th Century)
The large well formed hachi [bowl] of four main plates unusual in being joined both vertically and horizontally, the surface black-lacquered, signed Munetaka, to the front the russet-iron mabisashi [peak] edged with iron fukurin and overlaid with a plum branch and blossom in high relief, to the rear an iron kasa jirushi no kan [ring] on a pierced plum-blossom plate, the black-lacquered iron Hineno-itamono-jikoro [neck guard] laced with dark blue sugake-odoshi-itamono [spaced lacing], the lower plate leather covered with hishinui [cross knots] in white and blue stepped alternately in groups of five, the fukigaeshi [turn-backs] of russet-iron edged with iron fukurin and bearing an omodaka [water plantain] mon [crest] pierced in iron, together with an associated shachihoko [grotesque fish] sugake-odoshi-maedate [forecrest], slight cracking to lacquer
12.5 x 13 x 15in. (31.3 x 33 x 38.1cm.)
Signed Munetaka, Mid-Edo Period (18th Century)
The large well formed hachi [bowl] of four main plates unusual in being joined both vertically and horizontally, the surface black-lacquered, signed Munetaka, to the front the russet-iron mabisashi [peak] edged with iron fukurin and overlaid with a plum branch and blossom in high relief, to the rear an iron kasa jirushi no kan [ring] on a pierced plum-blossom plate, the black-lacquered iron Hineno-itamono-jikoro [neck guard] laced with dark blue sugake-odoshi-itamono [spaced lacing], the lower plate leather covered with hishinui [cross knots] in white and blue stepped alternately in groups of five, the fukigaeshi [turn-backs] of russet-iron edged with iron fukurin and bearing an omodaka [water plantain] mon [crest] pierced in iron, together with an associated shachihoko [grotesque fish] sugake-odoshi-maedate [forecrest], slight cracking to lacquer
12.5 x 13 x 15in. (31.3 x 33 x 38.1cm.)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.