明十五世紀初 龍泉青釉劃花蓮紋玉壺春瓶

superbly potted, of pear-shaped form, the swelling body tapering to a slender waisted neck and everted rim, supported on a short foot, deftly and densely carved around the body in a free manner with lotus flowers, broad furling leaves and lotus pods, all between pendant ruyi collaring the shoulder and a band of petal lappets enclosing trefoils around the base, the neck encircled by upright leaves above a classic scrolling band, richly applied overall with an unctuous yellowish-green glaze pooling to a darker tone in the recesses, the footring left unglazed and fired deep orange

The vase is in overall very good condition with a firing kiln chip to the foot and a few short firing fissures to the bottom inside the foot. There is a stained iron spot on the shoulder of around 0.4 cm (diameter).
"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."

玉壺春瓶端正大器，青釉亮澤濃潤，更添富麗。此類青瓷形制，取當朝景德鎮官窰器為範，可見紋飾類同之青花及釉裏紅玉壺春瓶。蔡玫芬，〈國立故宮博物院所藏明代龍泉窰青瓷〉，《碧綠—明代龍泉窰青瓷》，國立故宮博物院，台北，2009年，頁2-22，提及明初景德鎮官窰及龍泉窰均燒造官瓷。此件拍品之紋飾器形近似官造青花玉壺春瓶，應同為官瓷，龍泉瓷人取青花紋飾，劃於胎身，匠心獨具。

北京故宮博物院藏一件龍泉玉壺春瓶，尺寸、造形、紋飾均與此瓶相類，刊錄於《龍泉窰青瓷》，台北，1998年，圖版161。亦參考奧斯曼皇室舊藏一瓶，後配鎏銀瓶把底足，曾嵌綴寶石，作執壺用，載於康蕊君，《Chinese Ceramics from the Topkapi Saray Museum. Istanbul》，卷1，倫敦，1986年，圖版223；另一件蓮紋瓶，曾為 Alexander 及 Barlow 遞藏，錄於蘇立文，《Chinese Ceramics. Bronzes and Jades in the Collection of Sir Alan and Lady Barlow》，倫敦，1963年，圖版95b，現存牛津艾許莫林博物館。一件相近玉壺春瓶，1991年10月1日售於香港佳士得，編號732，2008年3月18日再度售於紐約蘇富比，編號103。

此件拍品之洪武窰青花與釉裏紅原型，參考一件釉裏紅纏枝牡丹紋玉壺春瓶，錄於《世界陶磁全集》，卷13，東京，1981年，彩圖版214；倫敦大英博物館亦藏一釉裏紅例，刊於Jessica Harrison-Hall，《Ming Ceramics》，倫敦，2001年，圖版2:5，瓶腹繪松、芝、竹、蕉，頸足紋飾則與現例相近。清宮舊藏一青花纏枝牡丹紋瓶，現存北京故宮博物院，載於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．青花釉裏紅（上）》，上海，2000年，圖版14；台北故宮博物院另有二例，一為纏枝蓮紋，另一纏枝牡丹紋，均錄於劉良佑，《中國歷代陶瓷鑑賞》，台北，1991年，頁22、23。還有一件牡丹紋瓶，2009年2月1日售於香港佳士得，編號1868。