清初十七世紀 犀角雕「蒼龍教子」圖盃

deftly carved on the exterior with a continuous scene depicting five figures in a landscape laden with jagged rockwork and large pine and wutong trees, including an old man holding a long staff ascending craggy steps near tempestuous waves and a figure standing next to a small hut in the background, the other side carved with two conversing scholars with a further figure knocking on a hut behind them, the scaly body of a dragon emerging partially from within lingzhi-shaped clouds, the handle formed on one side from the pine and wutong branches stemming from the base and extending towards the rim with pine blossoms resting on the interior of the cup, the opposite side of the interior detailed with the head of a dragon emerging through the clouds, the horn richly patinated to a dark brown colour, wood stand

The libation cup is in good overall condition. There is a minute chip and associated 2cm. crackle extending from the rim in front of the cup, there is an old shallow polished chip at about 10 o'clock outside the rim, approx. 2cm (showing on the illustration in the catalogue). There is some light expected surface pitting in areas, minute nibbles to the carving and minor age crackles on the interior surface and the underside. The actual colour is of a somewhat warmer and deeper brown tone 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."

犀盃雕山水人物者，往來多見，然加飾龍紋者，則相較略罕。本品如是，盃口巧雕趕珠雲龍，龍身蒼勁有力，蜿蜒盤曲，尾凌雲松，爪踏樓石，於盃中天地往來穿行，兇猛威嚴。盃身雕一山間老者，左右高士、童子相伴。此幅圖景合稱「蒼龍教子」，寓作詩禮之訓，望子成龍之意。可見一相類作例，雕龍成柄，仇焱之及仇大雄收藏，曾售香港蘇富比2011年4月8日，編號2714。另見一例，內雕龍紋，Michael de Salys Longchamps收藏，錄霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，圖版146。

器飾龍紋者，多見海水遊龍，取「魚跃龍門，過而為龍」之說，寓祝考子金榜題名，飛黃騰達。相關作例，可參考一龍柄盃，藏都柏林切斯特比替圖書館（Chester Beatty Library），錄Jan Chapman，《中國的犀牛角雕刻藝術》，倫敦，1999年，圖版234；同見一例，雕穿松龍紋，黃蕙英收藏，圖版235。

可參考四清初作例，雕山水人物，清宮舊藏，載《故宮博物院藏文物珍品大系：竹木牙角雕刻》，上海，2001年，圖版145-148。