清乾隆 白玉雕梅花雙龍活環耳洗 《乾隆年製》款

with deep rounded sides supported on four splayed feet, rising to an everted rim flanked by a pair of loose ring handles suspending from two dragons, each skilfully rendered with outstretched wings decorated with archaistic scrolls and key-fret, the interior and exterior deftly carved on one side with a gnarled knotted branch of budding and flowering prunus, the underside incised with a four-character reign mark, the smoothly polished stone of a pale celadon-white tone streaked with icy inclusions

倫敦蘇富比1961年11月7日，編號330 (£680)，載於目綠內封面
Bluett & Sons Ltd，倫敦，1961年 (£680)
羅傑琵金頓(1928-69年)收藏，自1961年 (£1150)

The bowl is in overall very good condition except for some minor nicks and small bruises to the tip of the prunus branches and feet as expected. As seen in the catalogue illustration, there are some light veins to both the right and left of the branches, which are cleverly incorporated in the carving to become a part of the main motif.
"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."

此器玉質均勻溫潤，造型嬌小而淺。兩側飾雕琢精細的展翅應龍為耳，應龍是龍中之貴，皇權的象徵，氣勢非凡。俯視此器，雙耳若一雙翩翩飛舞的蝴蝶，滿載忠貞不渝、吉祥美好的意願。

此類洗為婚嫁用品，盛行於清朝，飾以吉祥圖案，寄予婚緣美滿的意願。器內一株梅枝，象徵堅韌不拔，高風亮節的品質及堅貞氣節。器雖不見長壽的紋飾，但梅花在嚴寒中傲霜鬥雪，花開百花之先，獨天下而春，充滿生氣。據說中國古代哲學家、道家學派創始人老子便誕生於梅樹之下。

此類器裝飾傳統吉祥圖案繁多，器面大部分留白，兩側飾應龍耳者見一例尺寸稍小，飾靈芝及萬年青售香港蘇富比2010年4月8日，編號1869。另一例器壁稍斜，雕春燕及茶花，錄Robert Kleiner，《Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman》， 香港，1996年，圖版89；售倫敦佳士得1981年12月17日，編號391；再售香港佳士得2007年11月27日，編號1522。可作比較一帶乾隆款例，器內雕梅樹及春燕，外雕番蓮，兩側置螭龍耳，售紐約蘇富比2007年3月19日，編號614；器足與本器排列相似，前飾兩足，而非如多見者前、後及耳下各飾一足。