172 - A SUPERB AND LARGE GOLD LACQUER ‘SILVER ROOSTER ON A WAR DRUM’ PRESENTATION BOX AND COVER

A SUPERB AND LARGE GOLD LACQUER ‘SILVER ROOSTER ON A WAR DRUM’ PRESENTATION BOX AND COVER Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely modeled as a kanko (remonstrance drum) supported on an elegant pillar stand, exquisitely decorated in gold and colored takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashi-e, and surmounted by a magnificent silver rooster. The bird is naturalistically modeled with finely chased plumage, a proud upright stance, a long, sweeping tail, and gilt legs. The inrobuta (flush-fitting) cover forming the drumhead, decorated with a coiling dragon in relief and encircled by silver and metal bosses. The body of the drum is decorated with a rich mokume (wood-grain) pattern, while the shaped stand is embellished with shimmering gyobu nashiji. The interior of nashiji with fundame rims. HEIGHT 39.4 cm Provenance: From the private collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, New York. 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: Very good condition and presenting beautifully. Minor expected wear along the edges, two tiny chips to the edge of the drum, and typical losses to the gyobu nashiji flakes. The kankodori (rooster on a drum) is an ancient symbol of peace and benevolent rule. According to Chinese tradition, a drum was placed outside the ruler's court so that subjects could sound it to voice grievances. Under a just and peaceful government, however, the drum remained unused for so long that birds could roost upon it undisturbed. The motif is particularly fitting for the Meiji era, when the skills of metalworkers formerly devoted to sword fittings were increasingly redirected toward the creation of extraordinary decorative works. The present combination of exquisitely chased silver and sumptuous lacquer beautifully embodies this flourishing of artistic ingenuity. Auction comparison: Compare a related model of a silver rooster on a metal-inlaid drum, by Katsuhira, dated early 20 th century, 34 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 18 April 2018, New York, lot 102 (sold for USD 20,000 or approx. EUR 24,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).