明萬曆乙卯年（1615） 彩漆描金人物故事圖長方盤 《萬曆乙卯》《徐靜軒贈》款

of rectangular form, the interior painted against a rich red ground with an equestrian figure journeying towards two officials seated by a table surrounded by attendants, the curved sides gilt-decorated on a dark brown ground with shaped floral cartouches reserved on a floral scroll ground, the exterior decorated with a weave pattern between a gilt foliate scroll and trellis band, the dark brown base gilt with a reign mark and dated yimao year (corresponding to 1615), followed by an inscription reading Xu Jingxuan zeng (Gifted by Xu Jingxuan)

M.D. Flacks Ltd.，倫敦

The tray is in good condition with the exception of some loss and rubbing to the painted and gilt decoration on the top surface (in particular the group of figures playing 'go' to the top right, minor nibbles and loss of gilding to the rims, crazing and flaking to the black lacquer on the base and a slight warp to the whole tray.
"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."

明萬曆乙卯年（1615）製彩漆盤成組，本品為之其一。同組另一盤例繪高士進酒圖，售於香港蘇富比1991年10月30日，編號343。

見一漆盤作例，同飾繩紋，無年款，圖錄於沈之瑜，《上海博物館》，紐約，1981年，圖版204；另有一例出自Harry Garner爵士伉儷雅藏，年代稍晚，現藏於維多利亞和艾伯特博物館，倫敦，按年款應為1624製，圖錄於Soame Jenyns及William Watson，《Chinese Art. The Minor Arts》，倫敦，1963年，圖版140。

盤身外壁繩紋細緻纖密，尤為精巧。此法始用於南宋福建省，直至明代，福建仍為竹編漆器之主要產地。此類器之南宋典故，可參見田汝成《西湖遊覽志餘》，述福建漕司進茶，「護以黃羅軟盝，藉以青篛，裹以黃羅夾復，臣封朱印，外用朱漆小匣，鍍金鎖，又以細竹絲織芨貯之」。