Samurai armour 鎧図 | Signature unknown 不詳 | 19th century

Such meticulously executed paintings of armour were commissioned in the 19th century by armour workshops from painters; despite the presence of a signature, they remain unknown today. The aim of such paintings was not the romantic depiction of magnificent, fantastical armour, but rather a faithful rendering of detail. When purchasing a set of ceremonial armour, a customer needed to be precisely informed about how each part was made. In this respect, this painting leaves nothing to be desired. It is a delight to scan the finest details with the eye and recognise them. The golden dragon on the helmet is rendered with particular virtuosity – beginning with the teeth and the red lips, the painter fulfilled his task of creating a lifelike likeness. The black-lacquered face mask has a somewhat eerie effect. It lends the armour a ghostly quality, which certainly reinforces the effect for the buyer of being able to acquire a terrifyingly magnificent suit of armour with which to make an impression.

A suit of armour is normally – as in this picture – positioned on the chest in which it can be stored. A stand (visible at the rear) helps to position the armour for display in a manner that allows it to be examined. Even today, suits of armour – which are often regarded as family heirlooms – are frequently displayed in this way as decorative pieces in private homes.

Although this picture served a clear commercial purpose, it can also be regarded as a work of art, as the proportions are sound and well chosen, and the armour is skilfully arranged within the picture’s format. The picture is in good condition and undoubtedly has decorative value – not least thanks to its black-lacquered, gold-ringed roller mounts, which are in keeping with the style of such an ‘armour picture’.