清乾隆 白玉仿古饕餮紋茶壺

of compressed globular form supported on a short splayed foot, set with a tapered spout opposite a double 'C'-shaped handle formed with two ruyi blooms at the upper end, the exterior finely carved in low relief with a broad stylised taotie mask band, the domed cover similarly decorated with archaistic motifs below a finial in the form of a lotus bud, the translucent stone of a whitish-green colour with attractive russet inclusions

In overall good condition except minute nicks to the rim of the cover and the tips of the lotus bud finial. The actual colour of a warm creamy tone.
"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."

乾隆帝好茶，每歲元月，皆設三清茶宴於紫禁內廷重華宮中，所製茶具，選材頗繁，珍罕琳瑯，其中便涵括玉石品種。本品玉質甚佳，玉色乳白，色調平勻，採淺浮雕工藝，巧奪天工，另配褐黃色玉皮，更添靈秀。此器所用玉材，應出自和闐與莎車地區，屬清軍收復西北版圖後開放之域。叛亂平定之前，所得玉石，僅為較小卵石料，乾隆帝在其早期詩文中多次感嘆玉料之匱乏，此後大量佳玉亦僅由納貢方式獲得。

高宗之品味學養，藉由本器淋漓展現。藝匠將多方靈感創思相容，付諸一器，成此獨到傑作，甚投帝王氣質。器身所飾饕餮紋，源自古青銅器，而蓮花式蓋鈕，亦與同期盛行之痕都斯坦玉雕風格遙相呼應。

紋飾相近例，屬十九世紀上半期物，載於敏求精舍展覽《清朝瑰寶》，香港藝術館，香港，1992年，編號245；另有清道光茶壺例，淺浮雕幾何花卉紋飾，藏於北京故宮博物院，錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品大系‧玉器（下）》，香港，1995年，圖版8。

類似玉雕雙曲形執柄及花蕾狀蓋鈕茶壺，可比一件如意鈕例，德安堂藏，展於《玉緣：德安堂藏玉》，北京故宮博物院，2004年，編號97；另有一例，造型略扁， 錄於敏求精舍展覽《歷代文物萃珍：敏求精舍三十週年紀念展》，香港藝術館，香港，1990年，編號212；亦見 Alan and Simon Hartman 伉儷藏品，售於紐約蘇富比2002年3月20日，編號156，後再售於紐約佳士得2012年3月22-23日，編號1884；另存他例，售於香港蘇富比2008年4月11日，編號2871。同可比一茶壺，形制相若，雕「歲寒三友」圖案，載於《玉緣》，同上註，編號97。