明萬曆 青花鴛鴦踏荷紋魚缸 《大明萬曆年製》款

sturdily potted, with deep rounded sides painted in soft tones of underglaze blue with a continuous scene of ducks swimming amongst flowering lotus, arrow grass and other aquatic weeds, all below a border of florets reserved against a stylised wave band at the rim, interrupted by a rectangular cartouche enclosing the six-character reign mark, the top of the rim further painted with a detached band of foliate scrolls

This large and impressive bowl is in good condition with the exception of overpainting to a circa 2cm., wide band around approximately half of the luting line and encircling the base, restoration to a drilled hole in the base, rubbing and scratching to the glaze predominantly to the interior and minor glaze firing imperfections.
"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."

本品造型碩大，紋飾精緻，鴛鴦踏荷，主題源於唐代，元朝景德鎮瓷匠取其靈感，繪於大型青花瓷盤，流行甚廣，至明代年間更添變化，亦見其他鳥類紋飾。

此類帶萬曆年款之魚缸多綴五彩，繪荷塘鴛鴦、白鷺等鳥；相類作例見《中国明清美術展目錄》，東京國立博物館，東京，1963年，編號365；倫敦蘇富比曾售兩例，分別為1989年6月13日，編號236及2003年6月12日，編號151；另可參考三件無款青花魚缸例，紋飾相類，尺寸較小，例一售於倫敦蘇富比1980年12月17日，編號614，例二售於香港蘇富比1979年11月28日，編號99，例三售於倫敦佳士得1980年12月15日，編號116。

尚可參考較早期紋飾作例，如一件帶嘉靖款青花魚缸，上海博物館藏，圖見陸明華，《明代官窯瓷器》，上海，2007年，圖版1-57。