清乾隆 銅鑄趕珠雲龍紋雙龍耳活環壺配大理石座 《大清乾隆年造》款

each side solidly cast with a pair of confronting sinuous dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl among swirling clouds, below three narrower borders collaring the waisted neck with further dragons and a ruyi-head lappet band enclosing the galleried mouth, the neck set with a pair of C-shaped archaistic dragon handles suspending loose rings decorated with C-scrolls, the foot skirted by a ring of plantain leaves above the six-character reign mark reading Da Qing Qianlong nian zao (Made during the Qianlong reign) in a line within a recessed rectangular panel, marble stand

The vase is in very good condition with the exception of light rubbing to the high relief casting including the dragons heads, spine and the flaming pearl.
"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."

本壺尺寸碩大，飾趕珠雲龍，華美繁縟，展現乾隆一朝昌盛氣魄，取高古青銅壺器型，融新穎設計，創思盡見。比較一對例，飾鳳紋，故此或為清高宗母后而製，出自艾弗瑞．莫里森收藏，售於倫敦佳士得2004年11月9日，編號17；另比一例，售於倫敦佳士得1981年7月22日，編號110；另一例尺寸較小，缺一耳，售於倫敦蘇富比2011年5月11日，編號254。

此類壺出自成套祭壇五供，為宮廷寺廟御製，以頌天子聖德。本壺尺寸碩大，用於祭祀儀式，極具氣派，更顯儀式莊嚴鼎盛。比較一套五供例，包括兩壺、兩燭臺及一座香爐，售於香港蘇富比2008年4月11日，編號2826； 紫禁城慈寧宮花園咸若館，皇后、妃嬪禮佛之所，設有一套相近例，素面無紋，載於《清代宮廷生活》，香港，1985年，圖版467。

比較一對御製方壺例，飾龍鳳紋，為圓明園其中一殿而製，三度售於香港蘇富比，分別為1997年4月29/30日，編號730；2006年4月10日，編號1537及2007年10月9日，編號1322。