明十七世紀 犀角雕鳳凰盃

carved with exquisite detail, the bird's outstretched wings, curled hackle and spreading tail feathers forming the sides of the cup, all rendered in relief on the interior and exterior with finely incised overlapping feathers, its head lowered to form the handle, grasping a ribbon-tied scroll in its beak, supported on the two feet of the bird and the ends of three tail feathers, the horn with a smooth reddish-brown patina darkening slightly towards the base of the cup, wood stand

紐約佳士得1994年6月2日，編號4

《金木水火土：香港文物收藏精品展》，香港藝術館，香港，2003-2005年

霍滿堂，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，頁238，編號177

The overall condition of the cup is very good. There is some expected surface wear consistent with age in areas and to the details incised on the interior of the cup.
"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."

此犀角盃，嬌小玲瓏，巧工妙製，取鳳凰之狀，乃角雕鳥形盃中之珍貴罕例。盃身內外雕飾羽毛捲曲豐厚，細膩入微，層次分明，立體逼真。雕匠且善用角材，以鳳凰俯首，妙作器柄，並以犀角邊緣起伏巧雕雙翼。為保留角材的天然輪廓，鳳凰長尾下彎，翅翎亦隨犀角弧曲延伸，可見匠心獨運，工藝精良。

相類一例，同以長尾下彎作盃柄，鳥背掏空，以喙作流，藏於哈佛大學博物館，前述出處，圖版174。另可比較一件仇炎之及仇大雄收藏鳥形小盃，出處同上，圖版173，售於香港蘇富比2001年4月8日，編號2701；或見Fuller舊藏同類盃，售於倫敦佳士得1965年6月28/29日，編號211。

鳥形盃亦有漆雕者，自漢朝已有製，可參考江蘇省揚州博物館藏盃，圖載於《中國漆器全集》，卷3，福建，1998年，圖版275。