清十七 / 十八世紀 犀角鏤雕「蓮花」盃

the highly polished amber and black coloured conically shaped long-tipped horn carved in the form of a cup shaped furled lotus leaf, with subtle veining on the interior, wrapped on the exterior in relief with a large lotus flower and a veined leaf, together with a branch of flowering reed, all issuing from ribbon-tied long thin stalks, wooden stand

The overall condition is very good with the exception of a few insect holes to the rim (some filled in). There are repaired breaks to some sections of the openwork stem and the tail of the ribbon has an approximately 1.5 cm. section replaced.
"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."

工匠隨犀角原形而雕琢，上作翻卷荷葉為盃，盃下尖角部分鏤雕枝梗為鋬，仿如一把蓮花，清雅脫俗。此類造型紋樣犀角盃的創作靈感應源自清宮舊藏一件明朝早期犀盃，見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集‧竹木牙角雕刻》，上海，2001年，圖版109。

可作比較的精美原形雕荷花盃有數例。一件原為 Michel de Selys Longchamps 之舊藏，見霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，圖版95。黃惠英藏一件曾展於華盛頓賽克勒博物館並刊登於《世界周刊》，852期，2000年，頁12。另兩件一為仇大雄舊藏，曾刊登於前述周刊，頁96；另一2011年4月8日香港蘇富比拍賣，編號2703。另有兩例分別於倫敦蘇富比拍賣，1986年10月31日，編號175及1989年10月27日，編號186。