Live Auction 12020Aesthetic Intuition: Collecting Japanese Art in Post-War London
An Iron Articulated Model of a Dragon
Lot 129 The basic principle of Japanese armour is its flexibility, being composed of a great number of small lacquered iron plates laced together in rows allowing freedom of movement. It is this freedom which gave rise to the word jizai to describe tetsu jizai okimono, or articulated iron ornaments among which the dragon has prime position.

The Property of a European Gentleman

An Iron Articulated Model of a Dragon

Edo period (18th-19th century)

Closed11 November 2015

Price Realised

GBP 25,000

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An Iron Articulated Model of a Dragon
Edo period (18th-19th century)
The russet-iron dragon finely constructed of numerous hammered plates joined inside the body, the fully articulated model with a mouth that opens to reveal its tongue and with moveable limbs and claws, the body bends, the head is applied with elaborate horns, spines and whiskers, the details are carved and chiselled and the eyes embellished with gilt
74cm. long