十七世紀 黑漆嵌螺鈿竹編「人物圖」八方蓋盒

of octagonal form with sloped curved sides raised on splayed foot, finely inlaid on the cover in slivers of mother-of-pearl with an official seated at a table on the terrace of a pavilion, greeting a kneeling envoy holding a scroll, beside an attendant opening another scroll and a phoenix-coiffed lady standing in the distance, with three further attendants holding fans, all framed by rocks and a tall overhanging willow tree, the sides of lacquered basketwork divided by vertical herringbone ridges on the edges with ruyi-heads at the junctures, the wide rims similarly decorated with lacquered basketwork panels enclosed in recessed lobed panels against an inlaid 'cash'-diaper ground, the foot inlaid with mother-of-pearl animals, the interior and base lacquered in dark brown

This box is generally in good condition. There is some surface dirt and wear commensurated with age. There is some typical tarnishing and minor losses to the mother-of-pearl inlays. The dark brown lacquer ground on the interior and on the base is crackled. There are a couple of small old restored chips to the interior rim with further typical retouching in areas along the rim to stabilize the lacquer. The actual colour of the box is lightly less reddish compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

最早之編竹漆作，見於湖北省江陵馬山出土一漆扇子與三漆盒，認為乃屬戰國中晚期之物。漆藝與編竹之配搭，盛行於明代與清初之江南華東一帶。當地發展繁華富饒，且良質竹料供應無虞，造就此風之盛。John Figgess 爵士伉儷珍藏一件類同十方蓋盒，蓋面鑲嵌作梅竹圖，售於倫敦佳士得1983年12月14日，編號3。另一例為正方蓋盒，飾圓形開光山水人物圖，藏於克里夫蘭美術館，展出於《The Sumptuous Basket. Chinese Lacquer Basketry Panels》，China House Gallery，紐約，1985年，編號29。