明成化 青花「嬰戲圖」三層蓋盒

well potted and of circular section, the box comprising three separate trays and a cover of slightly domed form, the sides of the tiers bordered in various tones of cobalt-blue with a continuous lotus scroll issuing large lotus blooms and small curling leaves, the domed cover with two young boys next to floral sprigs and a fence, one boy standing behind the other with his hands on the latter's shoulders whilst the latter holds a lotus stem in his left hand, the sides detailed with a classic scroll band

W.R. Clarke 收藏
倫敦佳士得1970年10月12日，編號20
戴潤齋，紐約，約1972年
紐約蘇富比1978年11月4日，編號56
紐約佳士得2012年9月13/14日，編號1419

The cover is in overall fairly good condition except some wear and natural pinholes to the surface. There are grits to the area above the foot of the bottom tray. There is also a vertical hairline crack measuring approx.. 1.3 cm. running from the rim with an associated minor flake to the unglazed rim. There is an approx. 2 cm. hairline crack running from the rim on the interior of another tray. There is a repainted area from the rim of approx. 6 x 1.6 cm. There is also another approx. 1 x 4 cm. C-shaped repainted area with adjacent areas covered with overspray. There is a W-shaped rim chip measuring approx. 0.4 x 1.7 cm. to another 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."

本蓋盒繪嬰戲圖清新可喜，寓意祥瑞。倫敦大英博物館藏一嬰戲圖盌，錄於《Ming Ceramics in the British Museum》，倫敦，2001年，圖版6:2，可資比對。

上海博物館亦藏有一類近三層蓋盒例作，繪飾仕女圖，錄於汪慶正，《青花釉裏紅》，香港，1993年，圖版121；另可參考一件景德鎮御器廠遺址出土青花嬰戲圖盌，帶成化年款，曾展於《The Emperor’s broken china. Reconstructing Chenghua porcelain》，倫敦蘇富比，1995年，編號54（圖一）。成化遺存且有蓋盒出土，見一青花花鳥紋蓋盒，原應為施鬪彩，是以採青花勾骨，列於同展，編號9，圖見《皇帝の磁器：新発見の景德鎮官窰》，大阪市立東洋陶磁美術館，1995年，編號114（圖二）。另見山水人物雙層盒，斷代正德，錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．青花釉裏紅（下）》 ，上海，2000 年，圖版52。