31 - TOBE KOFU: A LARGE AND SUPERB FIVE-CASE GOLD-INLAID GOLD LACQUER ‘MARISHITEN AND BISHAMONTEN’ INRO

TOBE KOFU: A LARGE AND SUPERB FIVE-CASE GOLD-INLAID GOLD LACQUER ‘MARISHITEN AND BISHAMONTEN’ INRO By Tobe Kofu (1888-1965), signed Kofu 公風 saku 作 Japan, first half of the 20th century, Showa period (1926-1989) Of broad upright rectangular form and oval section, bearing a luminous kinji ground finely decorated in gold, silver, and iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, richly accented with e-nashiji and gold kirigane. One side depicts the warrior-protecting deity Marishiten, rendered in applied gold, riding a wild boar borne upon swirling clouds, firing an arrow with the principal hands while brandishing swords in the others. The reverse shows Bishamonten seated formally upon a curtained dais, holding a pagoda, with a naginata resting to one side. The elaborate armor, flowing draperies, cloud scrolls, and architectural details are rendered with exceptional precision against the brilliant gold ground. The interior cases are finished in fine nashiji with gold fundame rims. Signed to the underside in gold lacquer KOFU saku [made by Kofu]. The inro is accompanied by a globular jadeite ojime and a lobed square hako netsuke, finely decorated in gold takamaki-e and applied gold foil with a pair of fluttering butterflies on a radiant kinji ground. HEIGHT 9.8 cm, LENGTH 7.3 cm LENGTH 4 cm (the netsuke) Provenance: From the private collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, New York, United States. Alan Hartman (1930-2023) was an influential American art dealer, who took over his parents’ antique business in Manhattan and established the legendary Rare Art Gallery on Madison Avenue, with further locations in Dallas and Palm Beach. His wife Simone (née Horowitz) already served as assistant manager of the New York gallery before the couple were married in 1975, and together they built a renowned collection for over half a century and became noted art patrons, enriching the collections of important museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which opened the Alan and Simone Hartman Galleries in 2013, as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Brooklyn Museum in New York. Notably, they assembled an impressive collection of Japanese art, focusing on fine netsuke, inro, and lacquer. Condition: Excellent condition, with only very minimal wear and a few scattered tiny losses to kirigane flakes. The pairing of Marishiten and Bishamonten creates a powerful martial and protective program. Marishiten, derived from the Buddhist deity Marici, was especially revered in Japan by warriors as a protector in battle, associated with invisibility, martial success, and protection from danger. The deity appears in both male and female forms in Japanese iconography and is frequently depicted with multiple arms riding a wild boar. Bishamonten, guardian of the north and one of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno), likewise became closely associated with warriors and military protection. His pagoda symbolizes the divine treasure house under his guardianship. Together, the two deities form an emphatic image of protection, martial strength, and triumph over adversity. Tobe Kofu (1888-1965) was an accomplished lacquer artist active during the first half of the 20th century, particularly noted for inro and combs. His work is distinguished by the revival of technically demanding Edo-period lacquer techniques, often combined with finely worked metal appliqués and elaborate figural subjects. He is listed in Edward A. Wrangham and Joe Earle (eds.), The Index of Inro Artists, 1995, p. 135. Auction comparison: Compare a related five-case gold-inlaid lacquer inro depicting sumo wrestlers by the same artist, also signed Kofu saku, 9.7 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art including two masterpieces by Kitaoji Rosanjin, 7 November 2013, London, lot 126 (sold for GBP 5,000 or approx. EUR 8,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).