清乾隆 青白玉雕梅樹樁式洗

superbly and naturalistically carved in the form of a hollowed prunus-tree trunk, the surface skilfully undercut in various levels of relief with swirling wood knots and textured bark, exuberantly adorned on the exterior with intricate gnarled flowering prunus branches in openwork, crawling over the rim and extended to the top of the vessel, carved through the caramel-russet skin on the wider end with further luxuriant branches issuing prunus flowers, the stone of an even pale celadon tone polished to a soft lustre, marked with creamy-white inclusions, wood stand

金財記，香港，1965年
Bluett & Sons Ltd，倫敦，1965年 (£388:15)
羅傑琵金頓(1928-69年)收藏，自1965年(£600)

The washer is in overall very good condition except for a small chip to the end of the prunus branch on the top right and a small flake on the edge of the tree knot to the right of the prunus branch.
"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."

器外圓雕梅花樹，枝幹纏繞糾結，工匠的鬼斧神工在瑩潤的玉質上應材施藝，成就了此器。洗造型碩大，隨形巧作，利用玉皮在外壁巧雕梅花，以紋飾設計遮掩石中瑕疵。料盡其用，突顯良材美玉之妙。

器面圓雕梅樹枝幹糾結纏繞，讓文人案上頻添視覺及觸覺衝擊。儒家思想，尊天道，取法自然。此筆洗不僅為實用，亦供觀賞，置於書閣案頭，文士雖足不出戶，亦可神遊天地，不為案牘所囿。

洗內掏膛呈葫蘆形，應由晚明犀角槎盃啟發而作。犀角槎盃多作樹樁形，器外雕糾結樹幹，枝葉盤纏。犀角槎盃因犀角材料而成形，本器亦然。一犀角槎盃例，原為 Kenyon V. Painter 舊藏，見 Jan Chapman，《The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China》，倫敦，1999年，圖版1999，售紐約蘇富比2009年9月21日，編號8。

一尺寸稍小但雕刻紋飾相若樹樁形白玉洗，飾瑞鳥棲息於枝頭，售紐約佳士得1987年12月10日，編號79；後再於香港佳士得拍賣兩次，2006年11月28日，編號1377；及2012年5月30日，哈特曼伉儷珍藏專拍，編號4269。