清乾隆 匏製八仙紋倭角葫蘆 《乾隆賞玩》款

of square section and double-gourd form, the twelve-facetted lower bulb with four main sides, each enclosing one of the Eight Immortals depicted with their respective attributes amongst cloud wisps, alternating with pairs of triangular panels decorated with shou medallions, below a band of lingzhi scrolls along the shoulder, the upper bulb with four sides, each similarly moulded with one of the four other Immortals, all below a further band of lingzhi scrolls and a short cylindrical neck, the base with a four-character shangwan reign mark ('appreciated by the Qianlong Emperor') encircling a flowerhead, the gourd of a rich reddish-brown colour, the mouth-rim lacquered black

Douglas J.K. Wright，倫敦，1964年
三藩市邦瀚斯2008年12月9日，編號5131
J.J. Lally & Co.，紐約

It is in overall good condition with expected age crackles, occasional stains, dents and holes. The lacquered mouthrim is secured with glue. The joint between the bulbs appears to have been reinforced.
"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."

葫蘆之形，天然樸素，卻涵祥瑞之意，自古為貴冑文人所喜。藝匏之中，有範製之技，當葫蘆瓜尚幼小時，套以陰紋圖樣之範，待瓜老熟以後取出便成。此技在中國歷史久遠，最晚戰國時已有。清初，民間藝匏傳入宮中，自康熙年間始於禁苑豐澤園種植葫蘆，清宮範製葫蘆遂踵事增華，至乾隆年間，續製匏器，形制渾樸，論質論量，繼往開來。更多有關範製葫蘆之歷史與技藝，見王世襄，《中國葫蘆》，上海，1998年，頁23-41。

此模印葫蘆瓶上作立方體，下腹呈十四面體，稱為八不正，四面共八個正方形，各飾乘雲仙家，共八仙，從右至左、上至下分別為：背劍呂洞賓、拍板曹國舅、提籃韓湘子、捧桃鍾離權、吹笛藍采和、漁鼓張果老、持蓮何仙菇、葫蘆鐵拐李。下腹間飾團壽，更添祥瑞。器底印團花，並有楷書四方款。

與此瓶相類者，可參考兩例，底均印「乾隆賞玩」款，一例載於王世襄，《中國葫蘆》，出處同上，圖版22，口內同髹黑漆，然八仙次序有別；另一例則藏天津博物館。本器底款之「賞」與「玩」字的位置，異於如前述兩瓶之右至左順序，似為罕例。

據道光十五年七月十一日立之〈西暖閣葫蘆器檔案〉，《故宮博物院藏清宮陳設檔案》，卷4，北京，2013年，頁39，乾清宮西暖閣曾貯「黑漆裏葫蘆八仙瓶肆件」，至「道光十五年十二月二十三日，總管郝進喜要去，上在勤政殿，賞蒙古王公、額駙、台吉、喇嘛等用四件」（圖一）。臘月二十三，正為祀灶之日，據陳設檔郝進喜同日一併取去葫蘆器多件，以作犒賞。