清十八世紀中葉 緙絲群仙獻壽圖

finely woven with a scene of the Qunxian zhushou(the Immortals offering birthday congratulations to the Queen Mother of the West), depicting Xiwangmu and her attendants seated atop a crane as they descend to meet Shoulao and the Eight Daoist Immortals standing on a terrace amidst pine and peach trees, all above a rushing river with further groups of Immortals standing along the shore bearing gifts, all within a broad boarder of antique vessels reserved on a dark blue ground

 



 

The kesi is in general good condition with areas of loss, tear and stains. There are areas of repair, including the top right corner, the mountains behind Zhang Guolao riding on a donkey to the lower right side and that behind Liu Hai to the lower left section. There are general areas of loss, including the peach tree in the centre near the top, and towards the bottom half of the panel. There are stains to the top right corner of the blue border and along the yellow border. The colours are lightly faded.
"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."

本品飾流行道教主題，描繪群仙赴蟠桃宴為王母娘娘賀壽。神話中，蟠桃宴三千年一屆，是圖描述眾仙雲集崑崙山瑤池，玉山之上西王母跨乘彩鳳，仙女相伴，福祿壽三星相迎。八仙、眾仙及侍從自西方仙洞而下，過橋東升。

此圖靈感創作應源自書畫，並見相類之版本。有一類同緙絲作例，但無邊飾，頂端織有「華封三祝」四大字，載於 John E Vollmer，《Silks for Thrones and Altars. Chinese Costumes and Textiles》，巴黎，2003年，圖版58。參考Chris Hall信託收藏另一作例，錄於趙豐，《織繡珍品》，香港，1999年，圖版10.10。亦有一例，曾售於紐約蘇富比2006年3月30日，編號201。葉義醫生收藏尚有一例，年代稍晚，曾售於香港蘇富比1984年11月19日，編號127。