清雍正 水晶祥蝠紋硯 《雍正年製》款

the transparent quartz with characteristic flaws and inclusions, intricately carved in relief with an oval section centred on a frosted circular patch, below a slightly sloped recessed inkwell near the top, all within a border carved in the form of a bat with outstretched wings stylistically enveloping the inkstone, the underside incised with a vertical four-character seal mark

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are characteristic flaws to the material itself. There is also general surface wear, especially to the extremities. Minor nicks and scratches to the underside.
"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."

清宮舊藏雍正款硯，多見松花石材，今台北國立故宮博物院藏有數例，歷來拍賣亦見有之，然以水晶為材者，則相見尤罕。細觀此品，精雕瑞蝠，振翅環壁，翹首而盼，若欲飲盡硯中清墨。可見一松花石葫蘆形硯，藏台北國立故宮博物院，錄《品埓端歙．松花石硯特展》，台北，1993年，圖版33，此硯之形、之款，與本品有異，然所雕瑞蝠尤類。

另見一松花石葫蘆形硯例，藏台北國立故宮博物院，雕瓜藤紋，見相同四字篆書款，出處同上，圖版34。再見一雍正硯例，配漆盒，紀雍正二年，載於《中國漆藝兩千年》，香港東方陶瓷學會及香港中文大學文物館，香港，1993年，圖版104，售於香港蘇富比2014年4月8日，編號49。

乾隆二十四年，高宗揮師克復新疆，自此水晶佳材，供應不斷。於此之前，水晶其料，絕屬稀有，清宮尤以為珍。康熙之時，曾將水晶鼻煙壺，贈於西洋特使，以為國禮，另有史料記錄，謂之御供水晶，精美光亮，瑩白如雪，詳見《清代廣東貢品》，香港， 1987 年，頁58。

清宮文玩，水晶為材者，相見極罕，宮內舊藏，僅見數例，現存北京故宮博物院。可見一水晶鴨形水滴例，錄《故宮博物院藏文物珍品大系．文玩》，上海，2011年，圖版181，其材與本品相當，雕工相類。另見兩水晶印章例，藏北京故宮博物院，出處同上，頁269，圖版266。宮廷御作，尤惜水晶其材，必擇上品，方以用之。