A PARTLY GILT, PAINTED AND LACQUERED WOOD FIGURE OF BISHAMONTEN

A PARTLY GILT, PAINTED AND LACQUERED WOOD FIGURE OF BISHAMONTEN
Japan, 15th-16th century, Muromachi period (1336-1573)
Boldly carved in single-block technique (ichiboku-zukuri) standing atop a vanquished oni lying on a rockwork base. The god of fortune in war and battles wearing Chinese-style armor with raised decorations and a kabuto (helmet). He is holding a trident with gold-lacquered prongs in his right hand and a stupa in his left. The face with a fierce, wrathful expression marked by slanted eyes below furrowed brows and the mouth contorted in a scowl.
Both the god and demon with reverse-painted glass eyes, a hallmark of the period
.
HEIGHT 76 cm
Condition: Fair condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, flaking to paint and lacquer, which has been renewed over time. Losses, nicks, natural age cracks and scratches, old repairs and minor touchups. The trident staff and one hand are later replacements.
Provenance
: From an old south German private collection, assembled between 1970 and c. 2000.
Bishamonten
, the god of war and warriors, is the most powerful of the four guardian kings (Shitenno) corresponding with the four cardinal directions. The guardian of the north, Tamonten, is derived from the Hindu god Kuvera (Kubera), who is a god of wealth. The pagoda in his left hand symbolizes the heavenly treasure house which he both protects and dispenses. His trident represents the three jewels: the Buddha, the dharma, and the singha (community).
Auction comparison:
Compare a related figure of Bishamonten, dated Muromachi period, 16th century, but lacking the oni, at Christie's, Japanese and Korean Art, 20 March 2013, New York, lot 575 (
sold for 3,750 USD
). Compare a related, slightly smaller and earlier figure of Bishamonten, dated Heian period, 12th century, at Christie's, Japanese and Korean Art, 22 March 2002, New York, lot 124 (
sold for 9,400 USD
). Compare also a related but slightly larger and later figure, dated to Edo period, 18th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 3074 (
sold for 5,795 USD
).