This splendid Japanese armour – boasting a white beard and gold and scarlet dragon - will be part of Bonhams next sale of Fine Japanese Art on May 11th in London. To an eye used to European metal armour this is a feast of colours and textures in surprising materials which include black lacquer, doeskin, white fur, gilded paper, copper and iron. The armour, dating from the 18th-19th century, comes with a wood stand and some additional pieces including a pair of sandals, an eboshi and an adaptor for wearing civilian swords with armour (estimate £100,000-150,000).