A FINE PAIR OF INLAID AND LACQUERED IRON STIRRUPS (ABUMI)

拍品描述

A FINE PAIR OF INLAID AND LACQUERED IRON STIRRUPS (ABUMI) Japan, 17th-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of typical form, the exteriors finely decorated in gilt metal with flowering narcissus growing from misty waters. The buckles at the top with movable tangs and the interiors of red lacquer. SIZE 28 x 23.5 cm and 28 x 24 cm WEIGHT 2 kg (each) Abumi, Japanese stirrups, were used in Japan as early as the 5th century and were a necessary component along with the Japanese saddle (kura) for the use of horses in warfare. They became the type of stirrup used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The military version of this open-sided stirrup, called the shitanaga abumi, was in use by the middle Heian period. It was thinner, had a deeper toe pocket and an even longer and flatter foot shelf. It is not known why the Japanese developed this unique style of stirrup, but this stirrup stayed in use until European style-stirrups were introduced in the late 19th century. The abumi had a distinctive swan-like shape, curved up and backward at the front so as to bring the loop for the leather strap over the instep and achieve a correct balance. Most of the surviving specimens from this period are made entirely of iron, inlaid with designs of silver or other materials, and covered with lacquer. Auction comparison: Compare a related pair of silver inlaid iron abumi, dated 17th-18th century, at Christie’s, The Japanese Aesthetic, 7 November 2012, London, lot 279 (sold for GBP 2,750 or approx. EUR 4,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

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