明十六世紀 剔紅雕漆福祿壽紋八方蓋盒

of octagonal form, the domed cover deftly carved in relief at the top with an octagonal panel enclosing the Three Star Gods riding on clouds and a crane in flight, with a peach tree issuing from overhanging rocks in the distance, all above a tiered pavilion sheltered amongst jagged mountains, the eight-facetted sides with shaped panels variously depicting boys at play in garden landscapes, the box similarly decorated with shaped panels enclosing floral branches including chrysanthemum, prunus and camellia, all above a band of wavy lappets, the rims encircled by demi peony flowers in quatrefoil cartouches, the flared foot similarly decorated with shaped panels enclosing chrysanthemum sprays, the interior and base lacquered black, box

曼哈頓倉庫收藏拍賣，1942年
F. Bailey Vanderhoef, Jr.收藏，加州

《Oriental Lacquer: An exhibition organised by guest curator, F. Bailey Vanderhoef, Jr.》，Santa Barbara Museum of Art，Santa Barbara，1976年，編號4

The box and cover are in good overall condition with the exception of several 4cm., long vertical hairline age cracks running vertically up from the rim of the cover, some minor retouching to the red lacquer to the left side of the clouds on which the Immortals stand, to the tip of the flame-like clouds above them and to the end of the clouds below them by which a crane flies, minor retouching to three corners of the rim of the cover; the box has retouching to all of the corners of the tapering foot, and minor short hairline age cracks; minor crackles to the interior of both the cover and box.
"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."

本品於浮雕之中重疊雕琢，層次清晰，構圖精巧，寓意吉祥。此類仙人雕飾之盒多配漆盤，用於各種宴會，裝載酒盃，於16世紀大批製作。嘉靖及萬曆帝篤信道教法術，深信可求多子多孫、長生不老，是以各類道教紋飾均極為風行，習見於宮廷藝作。

倫敦維多利亞與艾爾伯特博物館藏一例作，圖載於《Catalogue of Chinese Lacquer》，倫敦1925年，圖版46；另一例售於紐約蘇富比1976年6月2日，編號 171。再有一例，器型相同，側壁雕仙人紋飾，曾售於紐約佳士得2007年9月19日，編號 117；北京故宮博物院收藏一例，尺寸較小，側壁飾花鳥紋，圖見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．元明漆器》，上海，2006年，圖版110。

本盒上飾「福祿壽」三星等祥瑞主題，仙鶴翔飛寶塔之上，祝願海屋添籌，壽桃滿枝，寓福壽延年、長生不老，再綴嬰戲紋飾，託兒孫滿堂之意，更添禎祥。