明末 犀角雕太獅少獅盃

skilfully carved as a shallow cup forming the body of a recumbent lion depicted with its head slightly turned to the right and supporting the front paws of a clambering cub, the beast finely carved with bushy eyebrows and bulging eyes above its slightly agape mouth, the shapely body with a crenulated spine flanked by small tufts of hair, terminating in a large bushy tail swept to the right, a further young depicted looking up and nestling between the front paws of the lion, the horn patinated to a smooth warm golden-brown colour

1930年代購自中國，1947年6月攜至加拿大
三藩市邦瀚斯2013年6月24日，編號1146

The carving is in overall good condition with expected small nicks to the extremities, especially to the ears, claws and tails of the beasts. Sections of the bottom rim appear to have been slightly polished down. There are also some typical age crackles and insect holes, e.g. the bushy tail which has been partially refilled.
"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."

此盃雕工利落，巨獅穩臥、幼獅攀爬，生動捕捉瑞獸神情動態，栩栩如生，惟妙惟肖。巨獅圓目寬鼻，細緻眉毛外往上捲，鬃尾入微，脊背清晰，趾爪有力，肌理矯健，肩後腿間淺加浮雕，有若捲草，又如火焰，與漢玉辟邪肢間羽翼一脈相承，造型典雅，更耀雄風。

有別於一般犀角雕盃作花綻之式，此器以廣處為底，上歛下寬，烘托尖頂獸首神威。此類肖生角盃甚罕，僅知數例傳世。Jan Chapman 在其著作中列舉其四，見《中國的犀牛角雕刻藝術》，倫敦，1999年，編號56-59。其中首例鮑天成製臥鹿盃（編號56），鐫「大明萬曆年製」款，為同組犀角盃的年代考證提供了重要的線索。次例同採臥鹿之形（編號57），姿態與首例相近，胸前篆刻「天祿永昌」，四肢綴有與此盃相類之捲草類飾紋。該盃曾先後入 John Warrack 與 Gerard Levy 雅藏，售於倫敦蘇富比1974年11月12日，編號134及香港佳士得2011年6月1日，編號3755。除此四例外，A.J. Speelman 舊藏還有一銜芝臥鹿角盃，也與此相類，另可參考紐約蘇富比1973年11月20日拍出之犀角雕臥獸盃，編號48。

Chapman 在其著作中指此類角盃，若平置不觀其裏，或會誤為乃動物擺件之類（前述出處，頁83）。此類肖生角盃，其姿態布局，與他類材質之肖生雕件多有共通之處，犀角匠人或曾引思借鑑。比較七十年代倫敦 Spink & Son 售出之玉瑞獸，與本品相類之捲纏紋樣自其四肢而發，該玉獸後售於紐約佳士得2008年9月17日，編號283，時斷代十七世紀。且參考另一明玉，取英雄為題，其中熊眼渾圓，眉毛陰刻細膩、末端微捲，四肢飾如纏枝羽翅，兩度於倫敦佳士得拍出，近再售於香港蘇富比2015年4月7日，編號3757。