An Iron Face Mask (Somen)

An Iron Face Mask (Somen)
Edo period (19th century), signed Munehide tsukuru
The iron mask forged in three separate pieces and assembled with hinges, the brow piece hammered with eybrows and the face mask with wrinkles, nose piece applied with a moustache and the teeth lacquered silver, the interior red; fitted with a four-stage leather neck guard of false scales lacquered gold and laced in brown