明洪武 青花蕃蓮花卉紋棱口折沿盞托

of lobed octafoil form, the shallow rounded sides rising to a barbed everted rim divided into eight bracket foliations, moulded on the interior with a central raised ring and around the exterior with crisp radiating ridges dividing the lobes, finely decorated overall in shaded tones of cobalt accented with 'heaping and piling', the slightly recessed centre medallion with a leafy lotus spray, surrounded by six peonies wreathed by a foliate stem and eight sprigs of lotus around the cavetto, each carefully rendered with different blooms and fanciful curly foliage, the rim detailed with a classic scroll, the central ring picked out with pendent lappets, the exterior painted with petal lappets on each lobe, the recessed base and bevelled footring left unglazed

This rare cup-stand is in very good condition with the exception of some minor glaze firing imperfections including glaze pulls and iron-spot impurities, and a slight warp to the body.
"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."

盞托盤心置一圓形凸棱，此形始於元朝，有別於宋代較高身及通常為圈形的漆製、銀製或陶製托器。其源可追溯宋代一作例，呈六瓣菱花形，折沿，飾花卉纏枝紋，載於《全國出土文物珍品選》，北京，1987年，圖版320。

洪武時期盞託以模範壓印而成，美觀實用，飾青花及釉裏紅紋飾。盞託所盛的盃種至今仍然不詳。一青花作例曾與小盃一同列展鴻禧美術館展覽，《景德鎮出土明初官窰瓷器》，台北，1996年，圖錄編號17及18。曾被錄於圖錄但此盃體形細小，與堅實盞託的尺寸比例不相符。再者，存世未見有其他與此盃類同作例，故此類瓷胎盞託有可能用以盛載以珍貴材料而造的飲用器皿，惜此材未能長存於世。

盞託中心一般多飾折枝花卉紋，本品繪飾畫工精緻的蓮花紋，實屬罕見。儘管如此，仍有一相類紋飾作例，錄於東方陶瓷學會《江西景德鎮元瓷的演變》展覽圖錄，香港中文大學，香港，1984年，編號141。另有相類作例，其一出自Charles Harrison McClintick 故藏，售於香港佳士得1990年3月20日，編號516；其二售於香港蘇富比1993年4月27日，編號35；其三見於香港蘇富比1998年11月2日，編號348。

另可參考一青花作例，中央繪折枝牡丹，環飾纏枝菊花紋，載於求知雅集《中國古陶瓷展》圖錄，香港，1981年，編號61。 John Pope 收藏見兩件作例，同錄於《Ming Blue and White》展覽圖錄，費城美術館，費城，1949年，圖錄編號24及25。後者中央飾一朵多瓣花卉紋，外環之纏枝菊花紋佈局較為疏朗。

Gerald Reitlinger 收藏一作例，現寶蓄牛津艾許莫林博物館，中央繪折枝牡丹，環飾纏枝牡丹及折枝花卉紋，錄於該博物館展覽圖錄《Eastern Ceramics》，艾許莫林博物館，牛津，1981年，編號1。