清十八世紀末 / 十九世紀初 金累絲嵌珍珠綠松石「蝶舞樹間」蓋盒

the two-part hinged box of quatrefoil section, finely reticulated on all sides with a cash-diaper ground of gold thread filigrees, the front and back further inset with an aged tree embellished with fine pearls denoting white flower blooms, below a hovering butterfly picked out with kingfisher feathers, all within a thin border of turquoise beads around the edges, attached on both sides with a yellow silk tassel suspending a large coral bead and threaded with strings of coral and mother-of-pearl seeds

There is one inlaid white pearl missing on the branches of the tree on one side, but otherwise the box and cover are in good condition.
"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."

製作此精緻蓋盒的工匠對於珍貴素材的使用十分珍惜，將其應用集中於特定紋飾，但仍展現其璀璨光輝。由細密的金絲交織成網，其上以珍珠鑲嵌為樹上盛開之花朵，並綴以點翠蝴蝶。僅樹幹及樹枝的部份以金製，形成極具美感的對比。清宮舊藏一相似作例，現仍存北京，錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．宮廷珍寶》，香港，2004年，圖版98；同錄有此類圓形蓋盒一件，飾三朵點翠蘭花，圖版97。亦可參考 H.M. Knight 珍藏一件器形相似、尺寸稍大作例，蓋盒上飾以金絲網，山水圖間以綠松石點綴成鳥，售於香港蘇富比1987年5月20-21日，編號612，現屬 Pierre Uldry 珍藏，錄展於《Chinesisches Gold und Silber》特展，瑞特堡博物館，蘇黎世，1994年，編號311。