南宋 吉州窰黑釉剪紙剔折枝梅花紋梅瓶

with a tapered body rising to round shoulders, a slightly tapered neck and lipped rim, applied overall save the footring with an opaque glaze of dark brown colour, reserved in the biscuit with two prunus branches decorated to opposite sides of the vase

The vase is in very good overall condition. The mouth rim is a little uneven and there are some occasional firing imperfections in the glaze, including pinholes and minute gaps, all typical of the type. There are some light scratches to the surface glaze.
"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."

此梅瓶精巧卓然，梅枝形態靈動，於深褐色瓶身之上更顯奪目。此種黑釉剔花工藝盛行於江西吉安縣永和鎮古窰，以剪紙附於瓶身之上浸釉，以得剔花紋樣。相似瓶例亦有出土，見三例於《吉州窯》，北京，2007年，圖版23，24及25。

與本拍品相近之梅瓶多見於世界各地重要博物館及私人收藏；一於北京故宮，錄《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．兩宋瓷器（下）》，香港，1996 年，圖版217；一於倫敦維多利亞阿爾伯特博物館，出版於John Ayers著《Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum》，倫敦，1980年，圖版110；另一例藏紐約大都會博物館，載 Suzanne G. Valenstein 著《A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics》，紐約，1989年，圖版115。其他相近吉州窰瓶亦有：Sir Alan Barlow 藏例，見 Mary Tregear 著《Song Ceramics》，倫敦，1982年，圖版261；另一例售於倫敦蘇富比1989年12月12日，編號253；另有兩例瓶頸稍短，刊於康蕊君，《玫茵堂中國陶瓷》，卷三，倫敦，2006年，圖版1557。