二十世紀初 押花葫蘆「秋菊」圖撇口瓶 （傳）雷不擊製

《嘉慶丙辰仲秋前一日》及《行有恒堂書并製》仿款
《行有恒堂》仿印

葉義醫生收藏，香港

Gerard Tsang 及 Hugh Moss，〈Chinese decorated gourds〉，《International Asian Antiques Fair》，香港，1983年，頁67，圖版26
Foon Koppen，〈Decorated gourds〉，《In Asia》，1983年秋，頁39

The overall condition is very good.
"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."

Although this finely decorated vase bears the mark of  the  Xingyouheng Tang ('Hall of Constancy') which is generally associated with Emperor Qianlong's great-great-grandson Zaiquan, the Fifth Prince Ding, Wang Shixiang from the Palace Museum, Beijing, believes that it is the work of the 20th century Beijing carver Lei Buji, also known as 'Little Lei'. See Wang Shixian, The Charm of Gourd, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 98, where the author discusses three artisans who were active during the 1920s and 30s, amongst them Little Lei.

The present vase is decorated with a technique that is often mistakenly described as a carved design. The motif is actually impressed with implements made of horn or ivory, the lines being created by pressing into the surface of the gourd without cutting it. This method is explained by Wang, ibid., p. 94, who himself became adept at this art form. Wang also knew Lei personally and described him as tall and slim, with whiskers slightly yellow, a pointed nose, small eyes and an air of alertness. He lived to be over seventy in the northern district of Beijing and died in 1945. Lei would roam the market at Deshengmen before dawn where he would pick up gourds, decorate them with designs and sell them to dealers. For an example of Lei's work see a gourd pear-form vase decorated with landscape and figural scenes within four panels, sold in these rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2233, formerly also in the collection of Dr. Ip; and an unusual cylindrical brushpot published in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Works of Decorative Arts (I), Beijing, 2006, p. 110, pl. 88.