A Gold Lacquer Helmet (Momonari Kabuto)

MOMOYAMA PERIOD (LATE 16TH CENTURY)

Details

A Gold Lacquer Helmet (Momonari Kabuto)
Momoyama period (late 16th century)
The iron peach-shaped helmet lacquered gold with a central flange running down the center lacquered black, the bowl fitted with a simple one-plate shikoro (neck guard) with small fukikaeshi (turn backs) and flaring out slightly at the bottom edge
With wood storage box with inscription describing that this helmet is believed to be one of about 280 gold peach-shaped helmets once in the collection of the Tachibana family and dated Spring 1961

Provenance

Tachibana Family

Lot Essay

The momonari helmet was a very popular and lasting style that was based on the Spanish cabasset. Due to their ease of manufacture and functionality (the smooth curved surfaces tended to deflect weapons effectively) large numbers of the style were produced. In 1592 when Toyotomi Hideyoshi commanded his armies to invade Korea, the force of Tachibana Muneshige (1569-1642) wore these gold helmets into battle. Three of these helmets are in the collection of the Ohana Museum, Fukuoka.

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