清乾隆 青花雙龍戲珠紋扁壺

the rectangular body sweeping up from a short rectangular foot to a slightly broad shoulder and surmounted by a slender tubular neck flanked by a pair of chilong handles, each side exquisitely painted in shaded tones of cobalt blue with a pair of dragons soaring ferociously and flanking a central 'flaming pearl' amidst flaming wisps, the serpentine five-clawed mythical beasts powerfully detailed with windswept manes and bulging alert eyes, all amidst ruyi cloud scrolls extending onto the short flat sides, further detailed with four soaring bats, all above a key-fret border skirting the footrim

John Sparks Ltd.，倫敦

Oosterse schatten，《4000 Jaar Aziatische Kunst》，荷蘭國立博物館，阿姆斯特丹，1954年，編號423

Good condition, with just a minute firing imperfection to the rim and other insignificant surface wear.
"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."

身為外來政權，滿清帝王致力於塑造其正統性與無上皇權，此亦反映於當朝工藝，青花雙龍戲珠紋取材古名瓷，雲龍張揚，耀顯皇威。自古，龍象徵天子，然而乾隆帝對於龍紋之傾愛，應屬前所未見，乾隆一朝，清宮各處均可見象徵君王之五爪龍紋裝飾。

青花扁壺長方造形，珍稀非凡，彰顯乾隆御窰之高度發展。方肩對稱，或取材金屬器形，非拉坯可得，僅能由模造拼合而來，雙龍戲珠紋雖非罕見，著錄未見同款扁壺。

扁壺龍紋多見飛龍置中，龍首面對觀者，此類雙雲龍各飾二側，類屬早明紋飾，如同此處二龍相對者，甚是少有。參考一件海水龍紋扁瓶，綴側首單龍，2013年11月6日售於倫敦蘇富比，編號16；另一例售於巴黎蘇富比2008年12月18日，編號68；還有一壺售於紐約佳士得2003年3月26日，編號263。

明代側首龍紋，參考一件永樂作例，曾為仇焱之、趙從衍遞藏，1986年11月18日售於香港蘇富比，編號34，刊於 Michel Beurdeley，《La Ceramique Chinoise》，佛力堡，1974年，彩圖版56，及《世界陶磁全集》，卷11，東京，1955年，圖版74。十八世紀御窰廠竭力傚摹十五世紀青花名瓷，運用鈷料反覆點染，以得類似明瓷濃黑鐵斑效果，可見於此處紋飾部分濃黑細點處。