清乾隆 紫檀木「卷草牡丹」紋平頭案一對

the panelled top with indented edges composed of two zitan boards set within a frame of mortise-and-tenon construction secured with tranverse stretchers and coffered in hongmu on the underside, supported on an exquisitely carved apron of hongmu depicting lush blossoms of foliate peony in varying relief borne on gnarled branches forming the undulating edges and continuing on the rounded sprandels, the paired recessed zitan legs of square section with indented edges, joint by a stretcher and humped shoe feet set with inner frames similarly carved with foliate peony blossoms and opening buds

Elinor Majors Carlisle 遺產，三藩市

There are some expected wear and light surface scratches to the surface of both tables. An approx 14 by 5cm carved section at the bottom left of one spandrel flanking one stretcher feet on one of the table's longer end apron is cracked and has been reaffixed. Some of the legs have morteses which have been filled in indicating that these could be re-used timbers coming from other contemporary pieces of furniture as it was customary to do with rare and expensive woods. The underside of each table has a hongmu board possibly later added to cover up the underside of the zitan boards. There is an old small repaired patch on the underside in the center of one apron (approx 7 x 5.2 cm). There are some further occasional minor repair patches at the joints showing under the aprons, but overall the condition of both tables is very good. The patina of the tables is warm and smooth. Their actual colour is consistent with the catalogue illustration if not slightly warmer and more vivid.
"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."

此對製作華麗的平頭案集雕刻藝術之大成，體現了清家具工匠的鬼斧神工。取來自熱帶地區的名貴木材紫檀為料，牙板、牙角浮雕牡丹花，枝葉相纏，更顯珍貴。

清康熙至乾隆年間，家具製作工藝達頂盛時期，如此平頭案一般精美者應出自著名蘇州或北京作坊。胡德生著《故宮博物院藏明清宮廷傢俱大觀》，北京，2008年，卷1，頁38-40，論述了蘇式和京式家具。前者以俊秀著稱，工匠惜木如金，經過深思熟慮才動手，線條優雅，結構明快；後者多為廣東能工巧匠，專為製宮廷家具。

紫檀為最名貴的木種之一，被視為木中極品。其木質堅硬緻密，紋理纖細如牛毛，色調深沉，帶著木香，適於雕刻各種精美的紋飾，製造頂級家具。中國人稱其天然的光澤為「包漿亮」，天然形成，不能仿製。紫檀木生常緩慢，數百年不能成材，成材後大料極難得到，因此清朝紫檀木料由皇室控制。

案上所雕琢的牡丹花紋飾應源自明、清漆雕器，北京故宮博物院藏一件明初剔紅桌，見《中國漆器全集》，福建，1995年，卷5，圖版30；另一件剔紅雕牡丹花大盤，見王世襄著《中國古代漆器》，北京，1987年，圖版51。

本案紋飾獨特，並未見有與此同款之例記錄在冊，北京故宮博物院卻見相近之紫檀畫案，其四足雕內翻拐子紋，雖綴雲蝠，但雕工深刻，紋飾繁密，與本品有異曲之妙，該品圖載於《你應該知道的200件紫檀家具》，北京，2008年，圖版77及《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．明清家具（下）》，香港，2002年，圖版135。 另可參考一清乾隆紫檀方桌，牙條雕卷草紋，延伸至腿拱肩處，售於香港蘇富比2007年10月9日，編號1330，與該品成對之桌，則藏於芝加哥藝術學院，圖見 Lark Mason，〈Examples of Ming Furniture in American Collections Formed Prior to 1980〉，《Orientations》，1992年1月，圖9。相類之纏枝花卉紋亦見於清宮舊藏桌，現仍存北京，見於《你應該知道的200件紫檀家具》，前述出處，圖版131。

紋飾略簡之同類案，可參考一紅木條案，售於紐約蘇富比1986年9月25日，編號536，或一黃花梨翹頭案，牙頭、牙條飾纏枝葫蘆，售於倫敦佳士得2011年5月10日，編號205。