清乾隆 瑪瑙「連年有餘」圖洗　及象牙座

the agate naturalistically carved as a large lotus leaf sheltering a small catfish, finely incised with veins and detailed with attendant buds and a root, all issuing from stippled stems undulating next to a leafy reed on the underside, the translucent stone of attractive warm beige colour, fitted on a green-stained ivory stand carved with a swirling stream with buds and a pod emerging from the waves, further set on a zitan base inlaid with archaistic motifs in silver wires

The washer is in overall good condition with only a small 5 mm polished chip on the edge of the main leaf near an attendant bud, and another minute nick to the edge of another curl. The ivory stand has an age crack across some waves, but is otherwise in good condition.
"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."

乾隆一朝，標新創異之圖式盛行，工藝品雕工精進，而此美雕筆洗，蓮葉藏鯰魚，仍當朝傑作。本瑪瑙品，身懷光澤奇彩，若水透靈氣，後經精心細琢，仿魚戲水蓮，瑩石似水，小魚靈巧，實為絕配。類同深綠瑪瑙筆洗，雕蓮葉形而有一青蛙棲於當中，為劍橋費茲威廉博物館所藏，載於林政昇，《The Immortal Stone. Chinese Jades from the Neolithic Period to the Twentieth Century》，劍橋，2009年，頁136（下方中央）。相類玉雕，有一蓮形筆洗，當中藏三叉尾魚，設計簡約，售於香港蘇富比1986年11月19日，編號363。另有玉雕蓮葉筆洗雕飾雙蛙，售於紐約佳士得2003年9月18日，編號109。

國界之開拓及與彼邦之接觸，都促成玉石雕塑技術之發展。造材亦得以增廣，例如有新彊軟玉、緬甸翡翠、阿富汗青金石，及至長江一帶之水晶及瑪瑙。瑪瑙本質晶瑩剔透，色澤明亮，為硬質石中之寶，其質可媲美玉之冠。御用瑪瑙精雕可見一北京故宮博物院藏淺盌，錄於《華夏古玉：鑑賞編》，卷11，香港，1996年，圖錄28。另可見水松石山房藏瑪瑙葵花盌，售於香港蘇富比2012年4月4日，編號125。有一花口盌例作，曾為乾隆時期顯宦之貢品，錄於《清代宮廷生活》，香港，1985年，圖版280。

蓮與荷相通，蓮葉藏鯰魚造型，寓意吉祥，有「連年有餘」、「荷包金餘」之意。