167 - AN UNUSUAL GOLD LACQUER ‘CHARCOAL BASKET’ KOGO (INCENSE BOX)

AN UNUSUAL GOLD LACQUER ‘CHARCOAL BASKET’ KOGO (INCENSE BOX) Japan, late 19 th-early 20 th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Of rounded rectangular form, ingeniously modeled as a basket filled with charcoal, the box bearing a lustrous kinji ground, finely decorated in gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e to imitate woven bamboo basketry. The flush-fitting inrobuta cover is naturalistically modeled in high relief as a pile of black charcoal, subtly sprinkled with kinpun, the exposed ends displaying radiating fissures characteristic of kikuzumi (chrysanthemum charcoal), traditionally prized in the Japanese tea ceremony. The cover is framed by a finely modeled braided bamboo rim. The sides are embellished with fan-shaped reserves enclosing delicate landscapes with mountains, flowering cherry, lakeside pines, and bush clover. The underside and interior are finished in gold-sprinkled roiro, further embellished with scattered kirigane flakes and bordered by fine fundame rims. SIZE 4.8 x 7 x 8.6 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: Excellent condition with only very minor expected wear and a tiny chip to the interior of the cover.