清康熙 黑漆嵌螺鈿「桃源仙境」圖蓋盒 「桃源洞」字

of rectangular form with bombé sides and cusped corners, supported on a short foot of conforming section reinforced by two transverse stretchers, finely inlaid overall with iridescent slivers of mother-of-pearl on a black lacquer ground, the cover depicting a divinity, possibly Xiwangmu, engaged in a game of weiqi, seated below a fruiting peach branch issuing from a tall gnarled tree trunk dividing the scene and partially concealing a pavilion above, surrounded by several other immortals and attendants, all scattered on rocky shores interlinked by footbridges and laden with rocks and verdant trees among clouds, entitled Tao Yuan Dong ('Cave of the Peach Blossom Spring') in a rectangular cartouche, the sides decorated with large alternating peony and lotus blossoms repeated around the box, the corners with lobed medallions enclosing chilong roundels against a woven diaper ground, the raised rims and foot encircled with half-cash borders, the interior and base left plain

There are bruises at the corners and typical minor losses of inlays or tarnishing to the slivers mother-of-pearl. The interior, base and rim are crackled with light touch up and minor chips to the latter.
"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."

此類螺鈿技法使用鮑螺貝，其濃豔虹彩賦予圖紋鮮亮光麗之感。薄貝片固定於濕漆，上髹透明漆，並打磨漆面至光潤柔滑，圖紋細部常作劃刻或飾金銀。

可比較一件尺寸類同之山水亭閣人物圖漆盒，側壁光素無紋，刊錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．清代漆器》，香港，2006年，圖版170。另一例，器壁飾開光花鳥紋，乃葉義醫生舊藏，售於香港蘇富比1984年11月22日，編號911。一件款式相類但尺寸略小方盒，綴宮闈人物圖，飾弧壁倭角，與本品同，展出於《Im Zeichen des Drachen》，漆器藝術博物館，明斯特，2006年，編號100。