A pair of lacquer abumi (stirrups), Japan, 17th century, 26 cm high, 39 cm long

A pair of lacquer abumi (stirrups), Japan, 17th century, 26 cm high, 39 cm long

The saddle (kura) probably belonging to these stirrups, dated 11 February 1693, is in the Kozu Kobunka Kaikan in Kyoto

Provenance: purchased at Sotheby's London, 11/03/1988, lot 1091

Condition report:
Stirrup A
Normal level of wear expected for a functional item and condition relating to the materials employed, function of the object and its age, notably the following:

Some knocks and wear around the suspension ring and contact marks from the ring pin
Wear to the lacquer on the pin and knocks to the base of the pin
knocks and chips to the edges of the pierced panel with wear to the gilding at the corner and edges.
The lacquer and gilding is cracked around the join between the panel and the stirrup which continue down the two external bulbus sections
Wear and chips around all the upper and lower edges of the stirrup. This is more prominent where the foot would have rested and again on the ends where the foot would have slid into the stirrup. At the end of the stirrup the lacquer and gilding have completely disappeared at the front edge and along the top to reveal the metal beneath. This is also the case for the front edges.
Wear to the gilding under the stirrup leaving the black base colour, especially along the edges of the waves
Wear to the gilding of the rabbit to the nose, edges of the ears, thigh, hocks and the points that are situated at the most raised section of the stirrup
The lacquer under and inside the stirrup is in good condition except for some cracks at the edges and occasional scratches

Stirrup B:
As the left stirrup, this was most likely used for mounting the horse therefore there is more wear to note.

Normal level of wear expected for a functional item and condition relating to the materials employed, function of the object and its age, notably the following:

Some knocks and wear around the suspension ring, with one larger chip to the top, contact marks from the ring pin
Wear to the lacquer on the pin and heavy knocks and chips to the base of the pin and the surrounding area
Wear to the gilding at the corner and edges of the pierced panel
The laquer and gilding is cracked around the join between the panel and the stirrup with some further linear repeated cracks which continue down the two external bulbus sections
Wear and chips to the lacquer around all the upper and lower edges of the stirrup. This is more prominent where the foot would have rested and again on the ends where the foot would have slid into the stirrup. At the end of the stirrup the lacquer and gilding have completely disappeared at the front edge and along the top to reveal the metal beneath. Here some oxidation to the metal is visible.
Beneath the damaged edge, the gilding has worn on the back corner of the sitrrup and appears black.
Wear to the gilding under the stirrup leaving the black base colour, especially along the edges of the waves. The underside of the corners also presents some zigzag cracks to the lacquer towards the edges.
Wear to the gilding on the rabbit's body, around the ear and to the areas that are situated at the three upper most sections of the stirrup with some occasional cracks to the lacquer
The lacquer inside the stirrup is in good condition except for a long irregular linear crack on the flat part and another towards the top
Occasional scratches throughout