明萬曆 繪漆花鳥龍紋高束腰香几 《大明萬曆庚戌年製》款

the square top raised on a 'cloud'-shaped flared apron extending to four slender cabriole legs resting on hooves and a square pedestal base with a cusped stretcher, freely painted overall in red, ochre and green enamels on the black lacquer ground, the slightly recessed top with an en face five-clawed dragon writhing around a 'flaming pearl' above jagged rocks and tumultuous waves, all against a diaper ground picked out with wan symbols, the sides detailed with meandering lotus repeated around the waist, the apron decorated with birds perched on a lattice ground and sprays of flowers further draping the legs, the base lacquered with two birds perched on a fruiting branch of peach tree issuing from a garden rock flanked by sprays of camellias and framed by scrolling peonies, all above scrolling clouds and further flower sprays encircling the stretcher, the underside of the apron dated to the Gengxu year (in accordance with 1610) with an incised eight-character horizontal reign mark in gilt

前田家族收藏，金澤，日本

There are typical age cracks to the surface of the stand, in keeping with its age. Minor losses to the extremities, especially the corners of the foot, which have been stabilized. Several other areas have been stabilized and overpainted, notably the corners of the aprons under the table top and the back right leg (in catalogue photo). Losses to some of the design elements on the table top and the base, where there has been retouching.
"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."

香几形制近似晚明木作，如清宮舊藏一几，現存北京故宮博物院，刊錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．明清家具（上）》，香港，2002年，圖版167，然該例之底座非實心平面，而為方環形托泥。

彩漆盛行於明代晚期，風格上近於同時期之戧金填漆（表面刻劃圖紋，於刻痕中填入金色或彩漆），惟後者存世數目較多。但相對於繁複且拘泥於既定輪廓之填漆工法，繪漆雖不似於水墨繪畫，仍給予工匠更多自由發揮畫筆的空間。然晚明時期，宮廷崇尚因循精準，而輕個人特色，或導致彩漆作例甚為珍稀。

紐約大都會藝術博物館藏一漆盒，四面作編竹紋，盒面以彩漆繪花鳥圖紋，與此件拍品十分相似，收錄於特展《East Asian Lacquer. The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection》，紐約，1991年，編號65。此圖紋亦近似於戧金填漆紋飾，如一龍紋漆盒，據銘造於萬曆三十八年（1610），四面綴類同花卉圖紋，前述出處，編號53。

可相類比作例，如安徽省博物館藏一八方漆盤，載於《中國漆器全集》，福州，1993-8年，卷5，圖版185；三藩市亞洲美術館藏彩漆長方矮几，刊錄於《海外遺珍：漆器》，台北，1987年，圖版131；或一件繪漆長方案，售於倫敦蘇富比1987年10月30日，編號153。

如此拍品之香几，較常作戧金填漆技法。可參考一對圓几，售於紐約蘇富比1989年9月28/29日，編號398；另一康熙年製署款形制近同之香几，錄於胡德生，《故宮博物院藏明清宮廷家具大觀》，2007年，卷2，圖759。