Description A SUPERB ‘KABUTO’ LACQUER KOGO
Japan, second half of 19th century
The wood kogo (incense box) is brilliantly lacquered to emulate a kabuto (helmet). The five shikoro (neck guards) are lacquered in grey, simulating lacquered iron, with black and red-lacquered crosses simulating the cords with which the individual plates are usually tied together. The top of the sujibachi kabuto (ridged helmet) is masterfully lacquered in sabiji-nuri (imitating iron), shows a fine gilt-lacquered tehen kanamono, and is removable, revealing the storage space for incense which is lacquered in black with sparsely sprinkled gold flakes and various kamon in gold takamaki-e.
The most impressive part of the kogo is the maedate in the form of a grinning oni with mother-of-pearl inlaid teeth and two large gold-lacquered kuwagata. The fukigaeshi are flaring and show two symbols in roundels and gold and shell kirigane. The underside of the kogo shows a nashiji ground with foliate decoration and gold lacquered kiri-mons, perhaps indicating an imperial gift.
SIZE 8.5 x 10.7 x 9.8 cm
Condition: Superb condition with only very minimal surface wear. The inside of the removable section with a chip to the rim and some overall wear to the edges.
Provenance: Purchased at Christie’s, Japanese Works of Art, 18-20 November 1997, lot 432 (
purchased for 11.339 USD).