清乾隆 御製竹根雕鏤空桃式盆

the shallow tray carved in the shape of a peach, set to one side with two peaches modelled in the round attached to a long leafy branch bearing peach buds and blossoms and extending onto the interior 

秋田市美術館，秋田市
《細川護貞コレクション展―中国の文房具を中心に》，熊本縣立美術館，熊本市，1988年，編號50
《細川護貞コレクション展 I：高雅な文人の世界―明清の絵画と書跡．文房具》，熊本縣立美術館，熊本市，1992年，編號99

細川護貞，《一得録》，東京，1982年，編號42

A long leaf on the right of the peaches has been broken and restuck, from approx. 0.6 cm of the tip, measuring 1.5 and 3 cm. The tray also has some small chips to the extremities, especially to the reticulated leaves. There are some typical insect holes.
"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."

此盆採竹根雕成，作桃實之形，豐盈飽滿，雕工精緻，栩栩如生。一側桃枝繞盆邊而長，遒勁有力，細葉婉轉，正反兩面脈絡略異，精巧入微。小桃嬌柔，花展欲綻將放之勢，極為可人。

本品以高浮雕結合鏤空工藝，巧作蟠桃之形，壽意滿溢。此盆桃花雕工細緻，花蕊細密，花形與台北故宮竹根立雕梅花水盛上所飾相類，唯後者雌蕊較形突出，參見《匠心與仙工：明清雕刻展．竹木果刻編》，國立故宮博物院，台北，2009年，編號9，圖錄中指梅花器應為清初嘉定竹人所作。清初，嘉定竹人所製文玩雅致靈巧，為宮廷所識，所作入貢內廷，當中巧匠更奉召奉旨入值内廷。

論工藝，也可比較北京故宮所存兩件清乾隆竹根雕冊頁蓋盒，其枝莖蒼勁、葉脈細膩，與本品有異曲同工之妙，圖刊於《金相玉質：清代宮廷包裝藝術》，澳門藝術博物館，澳門，2000年，編號11及12。

瓜果式器具，盛行於清康雍乾三朝，見有各式材質，當中更不乏桃形之作，以喻高壽，常見有瓷器、白玉等。