EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY)

Details

A LACQUERED LEATHER KARURA MENPO (FACE MASK)
EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY)
The lacquered leather menpo (face mask) of Karura (Garuda) in black, applied with the ase-nagashi (sweat hole) and odayori no kugi (cord hooks) under the chin and odayorigane (cord flanges) on cheeks, with two-tier yodare-kake (bib) of lacquered iron plates
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as a Tokubetsu kicho shiryo (Special Important Material) no. 1960 issued by the Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai (Japanese Armor Preservation Society), dated 2022.5.22

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明) Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department

tmurakami@christies.com +1 212 636 2160

Lot Essay

This face mask is formed as the head of the half-bird half-human god Garuda (Karura in Japanese). In Hindu mythology, he is the eagle-like vehicle and emblem of Vishnu, preserver of the universe. Garuda appears in Buddhist mythology as a protector of the Dharma Law.

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