明萬曆 青花魚藻八吉祥梅花式盆 《大明萬曆年製》款

of cinquefoil section, robustly potted with rounded sides rising to a flattened everted mouthrim, the exterior painted in inky tones of cobalt-blue with the bajixiang borne on lingzhi on a continuous leafy scroll, all below lingzhi scrolls bordering the underside of the rim, the interior with fish swimming amidst pondweed and rippling currents, the unglazed base centred with a medallion enclosing an underglaze-blue six-character reign mark within a double circle

日本舊藏，約江戶時代（1603-1868年，木盒）
平野古陶軒，東京

The basin has typical fritting, especially to the rim, and related flakes (max. approx. 0.4 cm). There is a polished kiln grit to the interior of approx. 1 cm. Apart from some unevenness to the cobalt and the glaze, as well as surface scratches, the overall condition is quite 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."

本品梅花式盆，繪魚藻紋，別有意境。為匠者，畫技嫻熟，運筆瀟灑老練。漫漫荷塘，水波蕩漾，幾尾魚，栩栩如生，往來閒遊，自由歡暢。同類紋飾者，多見五彩，青花略罕。五彩例可參考曾售於倫敦蘇富比1969年5月13日之器，編號95，其紋飾構圖與本品相仿，施青花、褐、綠、墨彩。另比一青花例，心繪鯉魚一尾，六小鱗相伴歡游，外飾八吉祥纏枝蓮紋，藏台北國立故宮博物院，展於《福壽康寧．吉祥圖案瓷器特展圖錄》，台北，1995年，圖版78。與台北故宮藏器相近之五彩例，見於《龍泉集芳》，卷1，東京，1976年，圖版919，或售於倫敦蘇富比1987年12月15日之例，編號161。

魚藻紋，宋畫常見，與道學之緣，根深蒂固。戰國時期道家經典《莊子》，錄寓言數十篇，常見以魚為題者。宋徽宗致力文藝，且又篤信道學，時有名家劉寀，極善畫魚，傾心崇道。此時期各門御廠官作，常見道家紋飾。

池中魚，逍遙遊，無拘無束亦無憂，正如道學教義，宣揚自然，崇尚歸真。為君難，困俗世凡間，恰可借此紋飾，略了其憾。