A Japanese aogai-nashiji 'kura' saddle with associated 'abumi' stirrups, Muromachi, 16th C.

Dim.: 25 x 20,5 x 11 cm

Condition: (UV-checked)
- One stirrup with a number of losses to the mother-of-pearl, a superficial stress crack where the upper section is affixed to the body, a horizontal crack visible on the in- and outside and a Y-shaped crack extending downwards from the top on the inside. A small number of small rim chips throughout and a larger chip to the ring on top.
- The second stirrup with a small number of losses to the mother-of-pearl, a number of rim chips and stress cracks throughout.
- The saddle in very good condition with superficial wear and a few very small superficial chips on the edges.

The saddle dated Kanbun 8 Nen, November 1668, while the stirrups of later date, Edo, 19th C.
The kura painted with the date and a kao on the base, the greater part of its surface decorated in aogai-nashiji, and with a shell design at the front and back.
The abumi of small size, possibly for a woman or young rider, decorated over their outer surface with an arrangement of expanded flowerheads within octagonal frames, the interiors lacquered gold.