清十八世紀 白玉雕三老圖筆筒

of cylindrical form with thick sides resting on a flat base, the exterior carved in varying levels of relief with a continuous scene depicting a sage holding a staff whilst conversing with an acolyte at the foot of a staircase, another sage reclining against the trunk of a gnarled pine tree with another sagely figure standing nearby, another figure depicted picking a ruyi fungus from the other side of a swift-flowing stream, the scene divided by further jagged rocks and overhanging pine trees, the stone of an even celadon-white colour, wood stand

洛杉磯蘇富比1974年10月20-22日，編號711
香港蘇富比1985年5月22日，編號307
紐約蘇富比1989年9月28/29日，編號487

楊伯達，《Essence of Qing Jades》，芝加哥，1995年，頁198

The brushpot is in an overall good condition. There is a shallow bruise of approximately 1.5cm to the foot of the brushpot, as visible at the the bottom left in the catalogue photo. Shallow 0.5cm flake to the rim, and other minor nicks to the extremities. The colour is slightly whiter in reality than in the catalogue photo.
"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."

筆筒雕琢深峻，山崖峻峭，松桐映掩，人物神態細膩生動。工匠運刀如筆，把嶙峋山石，繁茂樹木，淙淙流水表現得自然逼真，和諧流暢。深山隱士題材的筆筒應為文人案上之恩物，不但是實用的文房器具，也可表現文人雅士的隱逸情結。

此類筆筒因以深浮雕裝飾通景紋飾，選材講究。此器玉質溫潤，應取材於清廷平定准噶爾回部以后來自和闐的美玉。來自中亞地區的玉材品質上乘，可讓宮廷工匠在美玉上施展他們的鬼斧神工。

一下承三足，紋飾相似的筆筒為天津博物館館藏，見《天津博物館藏玉》，北京，2012年，圖版188。一下承四足，原為 Ernest James Wythes 收藏，售於倫敦蘇富比2012年5月16日，編號29。 另一例為 Stephen Junkunc 三世舊藏，售紐約佳士得2008年9月17日，編號591，再售於香港佳士得2010年51月31月，編號1899。一例下承四足，底刻乾隆款，見《玉緣：德安堂藏玉》，故宮博物院，北京，2004年，編號13。