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Terms and conditions of use
A suit of armour with horse saddle, stirrups and trappings
1665
Medium
metal, wood, pigments, lacquer, gold paint, silk, cotton, leather, gilt
Measurements
(1) 28.2 × 41.0 × 39.0 cm (saddle)
(2-3) 25.6 × 12.5 × 29.0 cm (each) (stirrups)
(4) 22.0 × 43.5 × 41.7 cm (Kabuto, helmet)
(5) 25.5 × 20.0 × 12.0 cm (Mempo, face guard)
(6) 45.5 × 38.5 × 26.0 cm (Do, body armour)
(7) 71.5 cm (centre back) 45.0 cm (sleeve length) (jacket)
(8) 94.0 cm (centre back) 32.0 cm (waist, flat) (Hakama, trousers) (9-10) 62.5 cm (sleeve length) (each) 46.0 cm (width, flat) (each) (Kote, arm guards) (11-12) 31.5 cm (height) (each) 37.5 cm (circumference) (each) (Suneata, calf guard)
(13) 53.0 × 69.7 cm (saddle cloth)
(14) 22.5 × 70.5 cm (saddle cloth) (15-16) 35.5 × 68.5 × 2.3 cm (each) (Kusazuri, skirted parts) (17-18) 29.0 × 26.5 × 5.5 cm (each) (Sode, shoulder guards)
(19) 56.7 × 155.0 cm (Haidate, thigh guards)
(20) 35.5 × 39.3 × 4.5 cm (saddle pad) (21-22) 99.3 × 7.0 cm (each) (saddle pads) (23-24) 28.0 × 38.0 × 2.5 cm (each) (saddle pads)
(25) (66.0 × 40.0 × 11.0 cm) (horse straps)
(26) 220.0 × 12.5 × 25.5 cm (horse straps)
(27) 245.0 × 19.0 cm (horse fitting)
(28) 268.0 × 6.0 cm (horse fitting)
(29) 208.0 × 3.0 cm (horse fitting)
(30) 150.4 × 9.4 cm (horse fitting)
(31) 225.0 × 16.0 cm (horse fitting)
(32) 266.0 × 12.8 cm (horse fitting)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Acquired, 1889
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
This ornately decorated saddle with matching stirrups features a relief lacquer (taka maki-e) design of red-crowned cranes and turtles, symbols of good fortune and longevity, as well as plum blossoms over a cascading waterfall, indicating spring and reincarnation. Inscribed on the underside with the year Kambun 5 (1665), these pieces may have been re-lacquered in the late Edo period (early to mid nineteenth century) to display the ostentatious taste of their samurai owner.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Japan
Accession Number
460.1-32-D2
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation