朝鮮王朝十五/ 十六世紀 黑漆嵌螺鈿纏枝花蝶紋長方蓋盒

of rectangular form supported on a flat base, finely inlaid in iridescent sections of mother-of-pearl slightly stained to gold on a black lacquer ground with peony blossoms and buds wreathed in scrolling floral vines, scattered overall with eight hovering butterflies, four of them with plain gold wings, and four others of a black and gold variety  

《朝鮮前期國寶展》，湖岩美術館，首爾，1996年，圖版159

河田貞及高橋隆博，《高麗李朝の螺鈿》，東京，1986年，圖版 26

The lacquer is worn and the inlays is a little tarnished, in commensuration with age, but overall the box has been very well preserved. There are dents and chips of varied size at the corners and generally along the edges. There are expected re-lacquering and occasional scattered losses or repairs to the inlays, predominantly along the edges of the cover where the fragile lacquer has been stabilized.
"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."

可參考一嵌螺鈿蓋盒例，紋飾相類，斷代朝鮮十五世紀，Florence及Herbert Irving收藏，現存紐約大都會博物館，見http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/L.1992.62.3a,b。

朝鮮嵌螺鈿漆器
小松大秀
日本秋田市立千秋美術館館長

螺材者，取夜光蠑螺、白蝶珍珠蛤或鮑螺等類，經切割打磨， 按等同尺寸厚度篩選分類，繼而加以精裁剝分，一一嵌入器表，形成花紋圖案，此為嵌螺鈿漆藝之工序概略。

嵌螺鈿技藝存承已久，自古已見於中東如土耳其等國，後或經絲綢之路傳入中國，繼至朝鮮半島及日本。據傳，日、朝古已產螺，然存世之例極罕，遂今尚無實證。今日本最古存世品見一藏經盒，江戶時代傳入，經中國地方（Chugoku region）大名毛利氏家族遞藏。鑑其風格，此盒應製於十二世紀高麗王朝。另見存世高麗嵌螺鈿器，有藏經盒、香盒及盤等。數量雖少，卻仍可略窺其風格。自十四世紀末至朝鮮王朝初，嵌螺鈿器存世之例甚罕，遂今人對此時期之風格仍未盡知。見一稀珍螺鈿盒，嵌牡丹紋，世代慎藏，遞傳至今，經東京國立博物館列為重要文化資產（圖1、2）。

此盒曾作存放朝鮮官服之用，經日本中國地方（Chugoku region）大名大內氏家族世代收藏。論其斷代，應為大內氏衰敗之前，於十六世紀前半葉自朝鮮傳入。此盒，材取中等厚度鮑螺，嵌入漆表，再經髹漆打磨，直至紋飾浮露。其牡丹花、蕾刻畫生動自然，花莖芊細優美，整體觀之極為精巧雅致 。朝鮮嵌螺鈿器，存世尤稀，一真難求。