Bamen

Bamen

A lacquered papier-mâché chamfron formed and decorated as a dragon’s head

Momoyama period, 17th century

48 by 30 by 28 cm

Bamen are masks for a horse armour that cover the animal’s forehead above the eyes; made of papier-mâché or boiled leather, they were generally modelled to represent a dragon’s head. Horse masks of this kind first appeared during the seventeenth century and were mainly used in military parades; this bamen is one the earliest known and its iconography can be immediately associated with depictions of dragons common during that period. The profusion of gold is typical of the taste of the Momoyama period and the absence of large lacquered parts and decorative features gives to this bamen a strength that can not be seen on later examples.

Samurai accessories for sale. Price on application. Please include item stock number: acc-1189