明十七世紀 犀角浮雕雙葉「螳螂」圖洗

盃作雙葉捲曲交疊之狀，器內一端浮雕螳螂，其雙目鼓凸，身足纖長，伏於葉柄。背面枝莖分岔，曲柯延生，另飾小葉作伴。表面潤澤，色呈粽栗。附木座。

1986年購於紐約

There is some wear consistent with age. One of the attendant leaf on the underside has an old minute chip to its edge. There is a tiny nick to the pointed end of the cup and a few other minor old bruises or nicks around the cup rim, but overall the cup is in very good condition and bears a fine patina.
"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."

角雕器多以盃形為主，作水器者甚罕見，尤顯珍稀。沙利士郎沉士先生藏類似水丞，造型如剖半瓜果，外皮粗糙，見霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，頁165，編號114。另可比較 Nils Nessim 舊藏角雕枇杷葉式水丞，器身較淺，先後售於紐約蘇富比1981年2月26/27日，編號319及倫敦蘇富比1998年11月18日，編號826。該器邊緣與此品接近，皆呈波浪狀，雅致秀麗，兩者整體器形、風格也甚為相似，底座葉脈刻痕深厚，均以瘤節枝幹作柄，可想二器或出自同一作坊。

也可參考器形不同之角雕水丞，如一葫蘆形水丞，藤葉雕刻纖巧、沿壁攀延至器內，售於香港蘇富比2007年10月9日，編號1619。另可比較一素身葫蘆器，圖見霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，圖版59；或見圖版55，後者為量器，也取葫蘆之形。