明嘉靖 傳周柱製黃花梨嵌寶狩獵圖蓋盒

the cover finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl, soapstone, malachite, stained horn and other hardstones with a hunting scene, depicting the legendary archer, Yang Youji, on a galloping horse, loosing an arrow and bringing down a deer, detailed with a crane in flight, the rims bordered with wire-inlaid key-fret bands

Good overall condition. Some typical age cracks especially at the fragile corners, which have been carefully strengthened.
"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."

此嵌寶狩獵圖蓋盒或為明嘉靖雕刻藝術大師周柱之作。此類器均以其所鑲各色百寶細緻複雜，所創紋飾栩栩如生、活靈活現而聞名。有關周柱及其作品之詳論，可參見此專場拍品編號12 。

此盒所飾為春秋楚共王（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。

同類傳周柱製狩獵圖長方蓋盒，可見一尺寸略小之例，屬水松石山房舊藏，售於香港蘇富比2012年4月4日，編號116；另參見一圓蓋盒例，為瑪麗及莊智博雅蓄，後亦售於香港蘇富比2005年10月23日，編號90。另可比較其他狩獵圖蓋盒例，紋飾更為複雜，北京故宮博物院藏一例，錄於《故宮雕刻珍萃》，2004年，圖版100；另存一例，所飾人物為神箭手養由基，曾兩度售於香港蘇富比，其一為2006年4月10日，編號1632；及2016年6月2日，編號88，屬水松石山房舊藏。

狩獵紋飾之靈感應受同期或稍早期繪畫作品啟發，可參考一十五世紀末畫作，繪馬上馴鷹狩獵，展於《Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600-1600》，皇家藝術學院，倫敦，2005年，編號162。