Bonhams' Arts of the Samurai auction has seen top bids for a 'Dutch leather' suit of armour and helmet.
 The suit demonstrates the appeal of exotic materials to the Japanese military elite |
The fine suit of armour made $62,500 in New York on October 27, leading a sale dedicated to the ornate arms used by Japan's warrior class.
It dates to the 18th century (Japan's Edo period) and was made for a daimyo, the powerful feudal lords that ruled most of Japan, second only to the shogun.
Made using small individual scales known as honkozane, each is covered in gilt leather and has been worked to resemble brocade in the style of Dutch leather. It displays the Japanese nobility's taste for exotic materials at a time when the country was opening up to international trade.
Another spectacular suit of armour made for a daimyo and dating to the 18th century sold for $45,000. Covered in black lacquer, the armour is decorated with hollyhock leaves and chrysanthemum.
 Juyo is the highest rating given to a sword by The Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword |
Also starring was a "Juyo Bizen" katana, with Juyo being the highest ranking possible for a sword and Bizen referring to one of the most famous sword-making provinces in Japan.
Dating to the 13th-14th century, the katana (a single-edged sword with a two-handed grip) is attributed to Osafune Norimitsu, who was a student of Nagamitsu, one of the most famous Bizen swordsmiths.
Please sign up to our free newsletter for more exciting news about militaria auctions.
