明嘉靖 剔紅雕漆壽鶴鳳凰紋官皮箱 《大明嘉靖年製》款

of rectangular section comprising five similarly carved panels: a removable front, three sides and a hinged cover, each depicting a foliate-shaped medallion enclosing a crane and a phoenix amidst wispy clouds centered on stylized shou character, the medallions set on a ground of flowering and fruiting branches of peach, prunus, lotus and peony, the cover with a rim carved with a band of prunus, pine and bamboo, the interior with six fitted drawers, arranged in three tiers, each fitted with lotus-form gilt copper escutcheons and pulls, the interior of the chest, drawers and flat recessed base lacquered brownish-black, the base incised with a gilt six-character reign mark

戴潤齋收藏
紐約蘇富比2011年3月22日，編號228

The chest has been sympathetically restored to conceal losses to the lacquer on all four corners and edges of the base; areas of loss and filled in parts to the front panel particularly to the lower left hand rim and upper left hand corner (the largest ca. 5cm). Further restoration to the breaks to all four corners of the cover where the wooden frame underneath the lacquer is joined and a ca. 4cm by 2.5cm. long piece broken out of the rear side of the cover where the later added hinge is fixed to the lacquer. The largest drawer on the inside is a later replacement. Further restoration and areas of repainting to the remaining five drawers. The gilt-metal pulls likely later replacements. The gilt-metal mounts and pulls on the front and side panels, and on the cover as well as the hinges may have been later added. The black lacquer has crackled consistent with its age.
"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."

本品精巧雅麗，通體作以吉祥紋飾，雕工細緻，構圖完美。嘉靖皇帝篤信道教法術，認為可達致長生不老，子嗣繁延，故其年代各式工藝，均飾以道教主題為材。本品紋飾包羅靈芝、如意壽字紋、歲寒三友及成雙壽桃，意寓長生多壽。據傳，漆器本身亦具延壽作用，早於宋代以降便為食具之一。

有一嘉靖作例，同雕壽鶴鳳凰紋，出自Jean-Pierre Dubosc收藏，曾展於《Chinese Lacquer》，Eskenazi，倫敦，1992年，編號21。同可比較相類官皮箱數例，飾各種開光吉祥紋飾。一例出自李氏家族典藏，上飾壽鶴紋，曾展於《Dragon and Phoenix. Chinese Lacquer Ware》，The Museum of East Asian Art，Cologne，1990年，編號54，售於香港佳士得2012年11月28日，編號2102；倫敦佳士得亦於1997年12月1日售出一例，編號 260；北京故宮博物院藏有一例，上作龍鶴紋飾，圖見於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集·元明漆器》，上海，2006年；圖版189；同展另有一龍紋作例，上雕樹幹盤纏成壽字紋，前述出處 ，圖版112。Fritz Low-Beer收藏，曾展於《Im Zeichen des Drachen》，Museum fur Lackkunst，慕尼黑，2006年，編號71。尚可參照一箱例，前方同有活動箱蓋，兩側開光內飾吉祥紋，現存數例，可資對比：北京故宮博物院，錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集》，前述出處 ，圖版136；H.R.H. Prince Henry，Duke of Gloucester，H.R.H. Princess Alice，Duchess of Gloucester與李氏家族收藏作例成對，售於倫敦佳士得1987年6月8日，編號 141，後於香港佳士得2009年12月1日易手，編號1829。

在中國，漆雕長方箱自古已有。明朝年間，或供文士收藏圖章，或為仕女梳妝漆盒。湖北省隨縣擂鼓墩之曾侯乙墓（約公元前433年）出土一作例，帶微拱活蓋。同類作例亦曾出土於湖南省馬王堆漢代軑侯夫人墓，用作收藏衣飾、食物及梳妝用品（見Sarah Handler，《Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture》、Berkley，2001年，頁241-242）。雕漆器工序繁複，製作需時，故如本品之大型精巧漆器，專屬宮廷御用。