明嘉靖 傳周柱製紫檀嵌玉石射猴圖蓋盒

exquisitely carved of rectangular form, the cover finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl, coral, jade, lapis lazuli and other hardstones with a hunting scene, depicting an archer taking aim at a monkey in the high branches of a pine tree on the far bank of a fast flowing stream, looked on by a sage and an attendant under the sun partially obscured by cloud, the interior with one removable tier

香港蘇富比2006年4月10日，編號1632

The box has been preserved in unusually good condition. The inlays are all intact with just insignificant losses to some of the edges, especially the left of the green rockwork on the left. There are typical age cracks and shrinkage to the wood, with some minor infilling to stabilise the natural shrinkage. The catalogue photo is permeated with too much red. In reality, the zitan is a more attractive deep brown colour and the inlays, especially the mother-of-pearl, are lighter and brighter.
"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."

此類精緻蓋盒，多以貴重紫檀嵌配百寶而成，偶有黃花梨作。本品鑲工美輪美奐，可見出自明代雕刻大師周柱之手，據明清史料載，嘉靖年間周氏活躍於江蘇揚州，以其首創百寶鑲聞名，擅於木及漆器上，細鑲五彩雜寶，所用玉石種類繁多，紋樣複雜，出類拔萃。與其他周柱作品一樣，本蓋盒上嵌珊瑚、金銀、孔雀石、漆、角、螺鈿，甚至鎏金銅，可見其工藝媒材品類繁多。周柱之鑲嵌工藝極為繁複，層疊交錯，營造三維視效，加上使用金、銀等名貴金屬，創出層次豐富之絕妙佳作。後世作品，即便清代技藝之高，也罕有如此嵌料多樣、藝技繁細之作。

此盒所飾或為春秋楚共王（公元前590-560年）時期神箭手養由基。為戰備，楚共王舉箭射比賽，養由基參與其中，王命其射中蜻蜓而不傷其命，養由基成功射中蜻蜓左翼。繼而，王令其射敏捷白猴，難度極高。養由基張弓瞄準移動中白猴尚未到達之處，以待發射，充分展現其掌控射擊之能力。

北京故宮博物院藏品中，見有相類嵌百寶蓋盒，詳見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．竹木牙角雕刻》，香港，2002年，編號219-248。另有一盒，上飾狩獵圖，應同為周柱之作，刊於《故宮雕刻珍萃》，北京，2004年，圖版100，同書並載一盒，外滿飾玉石作花果鳥紋，見圖版99。周柱生年不詳，據明清典籍，乃嘉靖時人，活躍於江蘇揚州一帶。香港蘇富比2010年10月8日售出之木蓋盒（編號2192），盒面以玉石嵌飾蒙人狩獵圖，按風格應屬周柱藝作，底書朱漆年款，紀年「大明嘉靖丁酉年造」，即1537年，與文獻記載年代吻合。該專場另售一剔紅雕漆蓋盒（編號2213），同飾狩獵場景。兩盒主題風格相近，無疑乃出自同一作坊，甚或同一藝匠周柱之手。剔紅盒邊滿飾花卉，枝葉茂密，與本品邊飾不無相似之處，或屬其雛樣。博物館及私人收藏中，一件或為最上乘之周柱製蓋盒，曾二度售於香港蘇富比，分別為1988年11月16/17日，編號256，後經2012年4月4日水松石山房專場再度售出，編號179。