漢至唐 龜形陶硯

naturalistically modelled as a tortoise standing foursquare, her head sharply turned to the left, her back hollowed to form the inkwell, the buff-coloured ware finely speckled with a fine gold mist

《Mostra d'Arte Cinese》，多奇宮，威尼斯，1954年，編號298

This type of figures is usually broken and repaired. In the present case, the body and legs of the tortoise are original and have been broken off and reattached with some touch ups. There are also shallow nicks and chips to the extremities, notably the tail and right front foot of the tortoise, as well as the upper section of the right back foot. There are traces of a gold mist, possibly later added prior to the exhibition in Venice in 1954.
"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."

龜形硯，部分帶蓋，或石或陶質，其使用淵源已久，或肇始於漢，而延續至今。瑞龜象徵長壽。與本品相似之硯，多見於唐朝，或略早於唐。山東省濟南市歷城小白庄出土一唐代陶例，錄於《山東文物精華》，北京，1996年，圖版211。另見三瓷硯例，屬六朝或唐代製，刊於葛咏嵐，〈我收藏的龜形硯〉，《收藏家》，編號13，1995年5月，頁58-59。再比較一石質近似例，漢代製，載蘇啓明，〈硯文化考述〉，《歷史文物》，編號108，2002年7月，頁8。