拍品 3323
  • 3323

明十五 / 十六世紀 銅鑄阿拉伯文香盒

估價
120,000 - 180,000 HKD
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描述

  • bronze
of cylindrical section with a flat top and slightly concave base, the central circular panel on the cover cast in relief with Arabic with the words ‘Allah’ and ‘Muhammad’, surrounded by a broad band of stylised interlocking floral and foliate scrolls

來源

Spink & Son Ltd.,倫敦,1982年5月

Condition

there are tiny chips and dents to the inner flanges and to the mouthful and foot. Other scratches and general surface wear. Extensive cuprite-red oxidisation.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

拍品資料及來源

Comparable boxes exist in cloisonné enamel and are now accepted as emanating from the Xuande period, as discussed in Cloisonné: Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, ed. Beatrice Quette, New York, 2011, cat. no. 25, a circular cloisonné enamelled box from the Vincent Smith Collection, and cat. no. 26, an Islamic inscribed cloisonné enamelled box from the David Weill Collection.

This flat, cylindrical form is an alternative for incense powder along with the more common domed shape.  It is inscribed in sini script, a Chinese Islamic calligraphic form for the Arabic script, developed in the early Ming dynasty.  It can refer to any type of Chinese Islamic calligraphy, but is commonly used to refer to script with thick and tapered effects, such as on the current box.  It is used extensively in mosques in Eastern China, and to a lesser extent in Gansu, Ningxia and Shaanxi.  Early examples of the script date to the early Ming dynasty, notably the mihrab of the Niujue mosque in Beijing.  The mosque itself was founded in 996 during the Liao dynasty, but rebuilt in 1442 during the Zhengtong era.

Another incense-powder box and cover of this form and size from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection was sold in these rooms, 8th April 2014, lot 247.