EDO PERIOD (18TH CENTURY)

Name: A MOGAMI-DO GUSOKU [SUIT OF ARMOUR WITH FIVE-PLATE CHEST]
Brand: EDO PERIOD (18TH CENTURY)
Price: 8500.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised GBP 10,625

Estimate

GBP 5,000 - GBP 7,000

Closed: 13 Dec 2017

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A MOGAMI-DO GUSOKU [SUIT OF ARMOUR WITH FIVE-PLATE CHEST]

EDO PERIOD (18TH CENTURY)

Price Realised GBP 10,625

Closed: 13 Dec 2017

Price Realised GBP 10,625

Closed: 13 Dec 2017

Details Lot Essay More from

With a bulbous 16 plate iron hoshi bachi [helmet with standing rivets], four-tier itajikoro [neck guard], fukigaeshi [turnbacks] pierced with flowers, a central maedate [fore crest] of gilt triple tomoe in relief on a roundel with kuwagata [stylised horns], black lacquered menpo [face mask] with moustache, the cuirass a mogami do (constructed of hinged horizontal plates), blue laced sode [shoulder guards], black lacquered shino-gote [sleeves], haidate [thigh guards], shino sune-ate [lower leg guards], with an armour box
Approx. 138 cm. high when assembled on the armour box (incl. maedate)

Please note this lot is the property of a private consignor.

Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

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Lot Essay

Willem Dolphyn was born in 1935 in Antwerp, Belgium. He grew up in an exceptional artistic environment where collecting art and antiques was a way of life. His father Victor Dolphyn was a painter and taught at the Royal Academy of art, and his grandfather, Willem Elsschot, was a well-known Flemish writer.

As a child, during the difficult war years, Willem drew pages full of incredibly detailed war scenes. Later, he earned a living creating illustrations including book illustrations and comic strips. He started his painting career in the sixties and his first exhibition in Antwerp was followed by many others around the world, including London, Monaco, and Japan.

His fascination with miniatures and his incredible eye for detail resulted in his love for the fine detail and precision of Japanese works of art, in particular swords and armour. He bought his first at the age of fifteen, which he found in an umbrella stand at the (fleamarket) in Paris. This was the beginning of his large collection that he built up over many years and was later continued by his son. He passed not only his talent for painting on to Walter, but also his passion for collecting.

In 1984, Willem co-founded and chaired the Token Society of Belgium, an organisation dedicated to the study and preservation of Japanese armour, swords, and sword-fittings. He stayed an active member until his passing in 2016.