清十七 / 十八世紀 犀角雕「梅樹花開」圖盃

of circular section, elegantly carved with flared sides rising from a hollow splayed foot, decorated around the exterior with a band enclosing low-relief prunus buds and blossoms gently floating on rippling waters, the openwork handle formed from a gnarled branch bearing prunus buds and blossoms stemming from the inner rim and extending across the cup below, the interior rim picked out with a 'classic' scroll in low relief, the dark brown horn lightening to a warm caramel tone towards the rim, wood stand

The overall condition is very good. There are some light scratches on the interior of the cup and some small nicks and bug bites along the rim. There is an age crack of approximately 1.2 cm long running from the rim near the handle. There is a small chip of approximately 0.3 cm long to a thin branch forming the handle and some minor chips on the petals resting on the rim of the cup.
"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."

此品甚妙，盃柄巧雕一樹寒梅，梅枝曲折交替環抱盃身，身雕潺潺流水，水中飄花落香，隨溪急隱而去，所謂空有落花意，未見流水情。整體觀之幽雅清新，簡潔大方。見一相類作例，雕錦地螭龍穿梅紋，藏都柏林切斯特比替圖書館（Chester Beatty Library），載Jan Chapman，《中國的犀牛角雕刻藝術》，倫敦，1999年，圖版196。書中記，此等風格，刀見古意，巧配花物，應歸類一少眾犀雕門類。

參見一仿古花式犀盃例，H. G. Beasley收藏，售於香港蘇富比1984年5月22日，編號261。另一略大作例，曾售紐約佳士得2009年7月22日。再見一略小盃例，雕梅花蝴蝶紋，售於倫敦蘇富比2005年7月13日，編號107。亦見一例，雕雙梅柄，仇焱之及仇大雄收藏，售於香港蘇富比2011年4月8日，編號2723。

本品盃沿所雕卷草紋多為瓷飾。另可見兩同飾作例，分為霍滿堂及Michael de Salys Longchamps收藏，錄霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，圖版18及38。