清康熙 / 雍正 白玉巧雕美人春睡把件

superbly worked in the form of a nude lady depicted reclining on her right side with her head resting atop her right hand and a pillow, her serene face picked out with closed eyes beneath a neatly tied topknot, the elegantly postured figure with the other hand resting on a thick diapered blanket gathering in folds, the lady portrayed with a small recumbent kitten resting behind her, the lustrous white stone with attractive russet skin skilfully worked to accentuate the figure

The carving is in overall good condition. The back of the figure's hair is slightly irregular but does not appear to be damaged. A tool mark is also visible to the flat reverse of the carving. The actual colour of the stone is similar to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

本品以籽料隨形雕琢，因材施藝，雕工嫻熟，匠心獨運。美人春睡慵懒，玉皮巧琢枕頭、錦被。金黃的錦被與半露細白的身軀相互輝映，更顯嬌柔可愛。

仕女半側睡，玉臂半屈，頭枕於手掌，頭盤髮髻，她的睡姿、髮式具明末春宮像特色。但此類身體半露美人造形不為多見，因此斷定為清初作品。本品有可能受清初醫師所用人體模型啟發而製，見一例為關善明收藏，曾展於《關氏所藏中國牙雕》，香港中文大學文物館，1990年，編號96-97。

見Guan-fu收藏一例，美人睡於一片大葉，手持蒲扇，定為晚明作品，曾展於《Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing》，Asia House Gallery，紐約，1980年，編號105。此品雕琢之美女在風格上帶明末時代特徵，可見於當時的瓷器紋飾中。巴斯東亞藝術博物館藏一玉雕美女立像，其髮式、特徵於本器甚為相似，載於 Angus Forsyth 及 Brian McElney，《Jades from China》，巴斯，1994年，圖版310。