明宣德 鎏金銅臥獅鎮紙 《宣德年製》款

exquisitely cast in the form of a recumbent lion with its head turned to the right, with alert eyes showing an intense gaze, framed by thick coiling eyebrows below four characteristic bumps on the forehead, its curling mane incised with fine details, the muscled body meticulously incised overall to represent the softness and fullness of the fur, the limber arched body accentuated by a ridged spine, terminating at a bushy tail wrapping around its right hind leg, the underside cast with a four-character raised reign mark in regular script within a slightly curved cartouche

The overall condition is very good. There are some scratches, dents, typical wear and areas of oxidation (especially to the underside). The extremities show patches of pitting.
"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."

此件鎏金銅臥獅，屬現存少數早明品質精良鎮紙之一，通體紮實，造形自然生動，線條細節層次豐富，及鎏金厚實等特點，乃明初鑄造工藝頂尖之傑作，與常見之晚明宣德仿款之器截然不同。

同類作宣德年款之例，可參考小孤山館藏例，錄於 Rochers de lettrés, 《Itinéraires de l'Art en Chine》，吉美亞洲藝術博物館，巴黎，2012年，編號58。另一件署宣德年款之鎏金器，可參考本次拍賣編號85，鎏金銅「寶鴨」薰爐，及拍品專文。亦可比較一件宣德年款龍紋爐，售於香港蘇富比2011年10月5日，編號1943，本品整體鑄造之質量，細節掌握大膽明確，鎏金光亮耀眼，都與後期之器明顯不同。

此類獸形鎮紙起源於古代蓆鎮，日本美秀美術館藏一對西漢錯銀虎形銅鎮，錄於《Ancient Art from the Shumei Family Collection》，大都會藝術博物館，紐約，1986年，編號65。另一件早明獅形銅鎮紙，鎏金嵌百寶，現藏維多利亞與艾伯特博物館（Salting 捐贈，M.741-1910），見Rose Kerr，《Later Chinese Bronzes》，倫敦，1990年，頁88，圖版72。此件維多利亞與艾伯特博物館收藏鎮紙，獸身渾圓立體，頸背焰毛層疊之貌，背脊鈕狀凸稜，倨傲謹慎之神情，皆與本拍品相近。亦可參考一件元代或早明嵌百寶鎏金銅雙螭龍紋鎮紙，售於香港蘇富比2004年10月31日，編號14，此例風格鮮明自然，螭龍身形精壯，鬃毛層次豐富，鎏金厚實，亦與本品相近。還有一件明代玉雕瑞獸紙鎮，臥姿類同，線刻鬃毛，獸身壯圓如同本品，載於 Jessica Rawson，《Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing》，大英博物館，倫敦，1995年，編號26:17。

明長陵的二石柱，雕於約1426年，上作蹲踞瑞獸，一為麒麟，其二為臥獅，形象近類此件拍品，見 Osvald Siren，《Histoire des Arts Anciens de la Chine III, La Sculpture de L’Époque Han à l’Époque Ming》，巴黎及布魯塞爾，1930年，圖版126C、126D。