清乾隆 粉彩七珍主藏寶供器一對 《大清乾隆年製》款

each modelled as the 'flaming pearl' of the qizhengbao or qizhen  ('Seven Royal Treasures') resting on an elaborate pedestal, the stylised emblem fashioned with a band of gilt-decorated iron-red flaming wisps surrounding multi-coloured lappets picked out with circular motifs and highlighted with gilt bands, all resting on an oval base flanked by a pair of foliate flanges, the base encircled with a lotus lappet border, the pedestal elaborately formed with a stylised top flaring out along the centre and decorated with bands of petal and foliate lappets, resting atop a shapely post modelled in openwork with a multi-coloured herringbone upright flanked by foliate scrolls, all stemming from a beribboned vase supported on a rounded stepped foot delicately rendered in registers with floral scrolls and petal lappets, the turquoise-enamelled base centred with an iron-red six-character seal mark within a white cartouche

The two emblems are in exceptional condition. The base of the left stand appears to have been broken into four segments and beautifully restored with the original pieces. Both stands have some tiny retouched areas, the most severe around a series of firing lines on top of the vase and the pink ribbons of the right stand, with an associated vertical glaze crackle of approx. 2.5 cm to the protruding ruyi canopy. Typical for this kind of stands, the pedestals and the stems were fired separately and later glued together. There are some expected minor flakes and losses to the gilt decoration and enamels to both emblems and altar stands, in addition to some typical firing imperfections, such as insignificant firing lines as visible on the underside of the emblems.
"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."

粉彩供器頂作如意寶珠，屬佛教七政寶之一，又稱七珍，其他為法輪、皇后、大臣、將軍、白象、寶馬，據印度佛說，轉輪聖王有七政寶隨同，護持屬地，七政寶之說後入佛義，其隨同輪王臨世。七政寶亦作供養釋迦如來佛，象徵其覺靜與護法之力。因七政寶與聖王之淵源，得帝王喜愛，使其成為宮廷中常見裝飾，承德避暑山莊藏一套完整十八世紀七政寶供器，展出於《Imperial China. The Living Past》，新南威爾斯美術館，悉尼，1992年，編號79。

此類瓷供器原燒造數量已少，完整保存至今者甚稀，二件相類乾隆朝供器，寶馬及白象，書礬紅乾隆年款，2004年6月8日售於倫敦佳士得，編號437；香港蘇富比曾售出二件，大臣及皇后，2008年10月8日，編號2608；還有一例，頂部人物已失，售於倫敦蘇富比，1995年6月9日，編號257。此專場另有大臣寶一對，見拍品編號104。

七政寶供器亦見其他材質者，如北京故宮博物院藏一套碧玉七政寶，展出於《盛世華章》，皇家藝術學院，倫敦，2005年，編號45；同藏另一套鎏金琺瑯七政寶，展於《清宮秘藏－承德避暑山莊藏傳佛教文物特展》，鴻禧美術館，台北，1999年，編號69；台北故宮博物院亦藏數套各式材質供器，錄於《金銅佛教供具特展》，國立故宮博物院，台北，1995年，編號22-7。