明宣德 青花纏枝蓮紋大盌 《大明宣德年製》款

sturdily potted with thick deep rounded walls resting on a short foot, the exterior finely decorated in shaded tones of cobalt blue with eight lotus blooms borne on and wreathed by undulating foliate scrolls above a border of upright lotus petal lappets, all between two bands enclosing clouds wisps encircling the rim and foot

It is in overall very good condition. The mouthrim has a tiny stained line to the glaze. There are also minor surface wear and original firing imperfections such as frittings and stained burst bubbles.
"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."

宣窰創燒一批珍貴青花大盌，此器飾纏枝蓮紋，甚是珍稀。盌身廣淺，造形渾厚，器壁厚度約一公分，胎體均勻，外壁以青花繪綴紋飾，內壁留白，纏枝蓮紋線條細緻柔美，韻律輕盈，完美平衡器形渾重之感，窰燒技術高超。多數大盌均見口沿下書「大明宣德年製」款，惟本品口沿下繪一道雲紋，紋下書年款，圈足並同綴雲紋，更是罕有。

一件類同尺寸之大盌，展出於《天民樓藏瓷》，香港藝術館，香港，1987年，編號25；Frederick T. Fuller 舊藏一例，1965年6月28、29日售於倫敦佳士得，編號146，1986年6月10日售於倫敦蘇富比，編號222；另一器出自胡惠春珍藏，1985年6月4日售於紐約蘇富比，編號6；第四例1978年12月12日售於倫敦蘇富比，編號379。尺寸較小之器，參考台北國立故宮博物院藏例，展出於《明代宣德官窰菁華特展圖錄》，台北，1998年，圖版43；牛津阿什莫林博物館藏一盌，刊於《世界陶磁全集》，卷14，東京，1976年，圖版150；還有一器1989年11月14日售於香港蘇富比，編號19，後三度售於香港佳士得，1996年11月3日，編號710，2008年5月27日，編號1847，及2010年12月1日，編號3112；另一例售於紐約佳士得，1982年6月23日，編號86。

宣德青花大盌用途迄今尚無定論。《天民樓藏瓷》，香港藝術館，1987年，頁53，筆者討論了此類盌的用途。筆者道，此類盌的用途眾說紛紜。有人認為它是骰盌，供宮中擲骰賭博之用；一說為筆洗，書案洗筆之用；又說其堅厚的器壁，正是鬥蟋蟀的戰場；還說是果盌，盛水果之用。