Japanese kawari kabuto - Japanese helmet of samouraï

Made of black lacquered iron composed of several welded plates, it has the shape of a monk's headdress. The front of the mabezashi is adorned with slightly raised eyebrows. The shikoro has five lacquered blades, laced with blue sugake-odoshi and lacquered red on the inside. At the rear are two large wing-like shapes. The maedate depicts a shikami or oni-style demon with tall horns, made of gilded wood with red lacquer highlights. The eyes, very prominent, are inlaid with sulfide. Some minor cracks and wear to the lacquer due to age do not detract from the high quality and rarity of this helmet. Mid-Edo period (1603-1868). 17th/18th century. Height: 45 cm.