宋 剔犀團花紋長方蓋盒

of rectangular form with straight sides and rounded corners, deeply carved through alternating layers of yellow and red lacquer beneath the black surface with four heart-shaped guri pommels forming a central lobed medallion on the cover, flanked on each side by two barbed panels enclosing four radiating trefoils, all centred with a circle and aligned horizontally, the sides of the box similarly decorated with the same sequence of alternating lobed rosaces and barbed panels formed of guri scrollwork, the recessed base and interior lacquered in dark brown

There is light restoration to one of the corner of the box cover as well as minor expected touch up along the edges. There are some typical age cracks and minor losses of lacquer overall in keeping with age. There are some small touch up and relacquering on the interior. But overall the box is 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."

漆盒器形精巧雅緻，比例均宜，屬「剔犀」或日本稱為「屈輪」之漆作，極為珍稀。相應之品或為宋朝江南一帶剔犀雕漆雛器，年代較為人熟識之「屈輪」雙瓣如意紋漆作更早。此類漆作特色在於其對稱紋飾井然有序，依器身縱橫線之間格排列，巧妙組成花結形圖紋。與晚期剔犀作例不同，此拍品僅外層髹以黑漆，內層紅黃相間，工匠雕刻寬V形深槽，將表層黑漆雕剩僅餘紋飾細邊，盡現底下層層漆料之色彩斑駁。

此類漆作極罕，且近乎全數均存於日本。福建省閩清縣白樟鎮，南宋墓遺址出土一對小型圓漆盒，及一件六瓣花形漆盒殘片，圖紋與此件拍品相似，表飾單層黑漆，內髹九層紅、黃相間漆料，雕刻亦採寬V形，收錄於《中國漆器全集》，福州，1993-8年，卷4，圖版122、123。

根津美術館及東京國立博物館，近年相繼出版探討宋代漆作的重要專書，共二冊收錄十三件以此技法製作之例。展覽圖錄《中国宋時代の彫漆》，東京國立博物館，2004年，圖版1-10，計有十件作例，其中包括藏於東京國立博物館之二件大型漆盤，及東京藝術大學美術館收藏之小型漆盒，皆歸為北宋十二世紀之作，而私人收藏中一漆盤、一長方盤、一漆瓶及四件小型漆盒，則歸為南宋十三世紀。圖錄封面刊載上述首件漆盤細部，清晰呈現其製作技法與此拍品同，紅黃漆料相互交疊數層，表層黑漆剔除甚多，顯露內部漆層的不同色彩。

根津美術館特展《宋元の美：伝来の漆器を中心に》，根津美術館，東京，2004年，編號44-52，為九件同類作例，其中六例已錄於前述東京國立博物館圖錄，此外還見名古屋德川美術館藏一大型漆盒配以漆盤作托、大阪藤田美術館藏器型略小之漆盒、以及一件出自私人收藏之漆盒。上述漆器圖紋，均作特有之方格式佈局，團花上下左右呈對稱之貌，軸線交匯處成直角，唯有一件漆盒例外，飾五瓣團花，不依循此圖紋排列規則。