A rare lacquered-leather horse mask

Muromachi (1333-1573) or Momoyama (1573-1615) period, 16th century

Muromachi (1333-1573) or Momoyama (1573-1615) period, 16th century
The striking mask of boiled rawhide and formed as the face of a dragon, lacquered gold and finished to a rough surface, the snout with wrinkles and flaring nostrils above sharp fangs, applied with horse-hair and lacquered-wood horns and ears, the side flaps decorated in black, red, and gold lacquer with stylized lappets
With a wood tomobako storage box inscribed on the cover Bamen, Muromachi jidai (Horse mask, Muromachi period)
19 3/4in (50.1cm) long

Horse armor first appeared in Japan in the sixteenth century and served not so much as to protect the horse, but rather to convey the prestige and power of its owner during ceremonies and military parades. This bamen was formerly in the collection of one of Japan's foremost family of practitioners of yabusame, traditional mounted archery. When not in use, a piece like this would have been showcased for guests to see in the reception room of a daimyo's home during New Year celebrations.