Somen mempo (Japanese face armour) from the Edo period, estimated at $2000-3000 at the Cowan auction on September 2.
Lore and Dave Squier spent around half a century assembling their collection. The 170-plus lots on offer include over 100 swords: tanto, wakizashi, katana and tachi, as well as fittings and other weapons and elements of armour.
Among the highlights are two Somen mempo (Japanese face armour). One, pictured here, is from the Edo period and estimated at $2000-3000. The other is unsigned but probably, says the auction house, crafted by Myochin armourers and has a guide of $3000-5000.
