Collection
Saddle and Stirrups with Tachibana Crest
| Saddle and Stirrups with Tachibana Crest |
| Height of front arch or pommel (maewa) 26.4 cm, height of back arch or cantle (shizuwa) 25.4 cm; Edo period, 18th century; Gift of the Ii Family |
The tachibana citrus crest of the Ii family adorns the front arch (maewa) as well as the back arch (shizuwa) of the saddle in gold maki-e lacquerwork. A large number of formal-use saddles were passed down in the Ii family, and they come in a number of variations. This one has a simple black-lacquered finish over the entire surface of the saddle, but in some cases, the saddle’s seat is vermilion-lacquered or has a gold “pear-skin” ground.
