17th C. Japanese Lacquered Iron Samurai Armor + Helmet

East Asia, Japan, Edo period, ca. 1603 to 1868 CE. A wonderful set of samurai armor (o-yoroi) for the upper body with shoulder and waist panels constructed in a card-like or plated (karuta or kozan-do) style. The lacquered iron helmet (kabuto) has a trio of crescent-shaped panels affixed to the back periphery, two flared side flaps (fukigaeshi) and a pair of slender horns with pointed tips above the frontal brim. The lacquered iron chest armor (dou) bears a front and back panel with arm grooves, six plated panels (kusazuri) around both sides of the waist, and layered shoulder panels (ko-sode) on top. The front of the chest armor bears a red-painted circle with a trio of branches extending inwards. The cloth and iron mail arm sleeves (kote) are tied to the biceps, forearms, and hands for protection. Mounted on a modern mannequin. Size of largest (chest armor): 15" W x 24.5" H (38.1 cm x 62.2 cm); (mannequin): 81.75" H (207.6 cm).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#150963
Condition Report: Both arm guards have modern textile panels sewn behind original textile panels. Chipping to most lacquered surfaces, slight bending to overall forms of some shoulder panels, arm guards, and waist panels, with fissures to cloth lining inside helmet, and age-commensurate encrustations to some exposed iron areas. Nice patina throughout.