A2465

Japanese helmet; ridged helmet with pronounced semi-circular peak (apparently in the shape of a court cap); lacquered sections around helmet; neckguard formed from 4 concentric semi-circular metal bands fixed with textile straps. A small gilded plate set into the inside of the helmet bowl displays an attribution to the Miochin School of armourers. Loan returned to Maidstone Museum 16/04/2008. This item has been 'lacquered' to decorate and protect the steel from corrosion. The lacquer is a hard glossy coating made by dissolving natural resins in a solvent that evaporates quickly.

16th century

metal, textile, lacquer, leather