明初 龍泉窰印琵琶記人物圖盌

heavily potted with deep rounded sides, resting on a straight foot, the interior moulded with a five-fold floral medallion, encircled by shaped panels variously depicting figures from Pipa Ji [Tale of the Pipa], each dressed in official attire and identified by their inscribed official titles, divided by narrow panels enclosing latticed fences and furniture, all below a key-fret band repeated on the exterior rim, densely covered in an opaque sea-green glaze, the base with an unglazed ring revealing the buff-orange body

仇焱之 (1910-80年)收藏
Bluett & Sons Ltd，倫敦，1960年 (£132)
羅傑琵金頓(1928-69年)收藏， 自1961年 (£185)

The bowl is in good condition, with just minor surface wear and typical firing irregularities.
"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."

此龍泉窰青釉盌所飾題材為十四世紀學者高明撰《琵琶記》，敘述書生蔡邕與妻趙五娘之故事。其中人物皆題名可辨，圖中見伯喈騎騾，僕隨右，妻奏笛，此段南戲尤受洪武皇帝鍾睞，相傳曾令戲子日日演出此劇。

鮑爾收藏中見一類例，錄 John Ayers 著，《The Baur Collection, Geneva. Chinese Ceramics》，日內瓦，1968年，卷1，圖版A113；另一相若例，為 George Eumorfopoulos 舊藏，現存維多利亞與艾伯特博物館，倫敦，錄 R.L. Hobson 著，《The Eumorfopoulos Collection》，卷2，圖版XXXIV，編號B132；亦見兩類例，於 Carl Kempe 舊藏，皆售於倫敦蘇富比2008年5月14日，編號333、334，其中編號333例，亦錄於 Bo Gyllensvärd 著，《Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection》，斯德哥爾摩，1964年，圖版142。