明永樂 剔紅雕漆花卉紋印泥蓋盒 後刻《大明宣德年製》款

of circular form, intricately carved through rich layers of red lacquer to reveal the ochre-yellow ground, the domed cover with a camellia blossom borne on scrolling stems issuing smaller blooms and opening buds, the shallow sides of the box similarly decorated, the interior and base lacquered dark brown, the original six-character Yongle mark on one side of the base obscured and later incised with a six-character Xuande mark in gilt, Japanese wood box

The box and cover are in good condition with the exception of restoration to a circa 6cm., wide crescent-shaped crack (or possible break) on the rim of the cover, restoration to the rim with an associated horizontal crack running across the underside of the cover, light cracking and crazing to the rims of the box and cover with associated refreshing of the red and black lacquer, light crazing to the black lacquer interior of the box and cover.
"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."

綜觀明初宮廷器物，同為永樂及宣德二帝賞惜者，甚為難得。本盒雕工精巧，紋飾秀雅，即為其中罕例。大明一朝，官作源源未絕，時逢帝王更迭，前朝舊器，多移至倉庫保存。雕漆等器，費時費工，彌足珍貴，方可世代遞傳。本品應為永樂始製，鐫以年款，款纖如針，後至宣德，繼以本朝金款覆之。

可參考兩例，雕相類花卉紋，先刻永樂款，上覆宣德款，現藏北京故宮博物院，圖錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集·元明漆器》，上海，2006年，圖版48及49；另有一筒形例，現藏大阪藤田美術館，載於《特別展東洋の漆工芸》，東京國立博物館，東京，1977年，編號507。亦可比較永樂年款漆盒，北京故宮博物院藏有三例，前述出處，圖版50、52及54；倫敦大英博物館亦藏一例，展於《明：盛世皇朝五十年》，倫敦，2014年，編號226；另比一例，出自抱一齋收藏，曾展於《中國漆藝二千年》，香港東方陶瓷學會，香港中文大學文物館，香港，1993年，編號42；再比兩例，前者售於香港蘇富比2009年4月8日，編號1682；後者出自李氏家族收藏，售於香港佳士得2008年12月3日，編號2116。

本品巧雕綻放茶花，妍芳雅緻，浮雕之中重疊雕琢，層次分明。如此厚重漆器，須層層髹漆，每髹一層，需時日待乾，反復無數，方可始雕，再加修磨，方可完成。十六世紀文士兼商人高濂《燕閒清賞箋》述：「我朝永樂果園廠製漆，朱三十六遍……似過宋元」。（見《故宮雕漆選萃》，台北，1971年，英文版頁77，中文版頁50）。