明末至清初 青花瑞獸圖方尊

of square section, the angular facetted body rising from a flat base to a stepped shoulder formed from concentric circular platforms, sweeping up to a cylindrical ribbed neck, the body variously painted on each face with a rectangular panel enclosing a beast amongst landscape within chevron borders, one depicting a qilin below leafy plantain, the second with a recumbent horse looking back at a barren tree, the third with a tiger below a pine tree in a riverside landscape, and the last with a crouching ram reaching for water in stream, the top of the shoulder painted with foliate strapwork and lappet bands, enclosed by stylised ruyi scrolls at the four corners, the ribbed neck with four horizontal fillets, wood stand

Michel Beurdeley 收藏，巴黎
巴黎佳士得2007年12月7日，編號126
J.J. Lally & Co.，紐約

Cécile 及 Michel Beurdeley，《La Céramique chinoise: Le guide du connaisseur》， 弗里堡，1978年，圖版79

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are small chips to the mouth, corners and edges of the vase (the largest measuring approx 1 cm). Fine glaze crackle along the luting line.
"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."

方尊繪飾精緻，屬明末清初時為外銷歐洲所製瓷品。此類方尊，為中國最早期歐式器皿，形仿荷蘭琉璃及陶製方尊，原於歐洲用以盛酒或貯燈油。

可參考一相類方尊，畫山水人物圖，藏牛津阿什莫林博物館，展於《Memorial Exhibition of Eastern Ceramics and Other Works of Art from the Collection of Gerald Reitlinger》，牛津，1981年，編號45。倫敦大英博物館另存一相似例，見於呂章申編，《瓷韻：大英博物館、英國國立維多利亞與亞伯特博物館藏瓷器精品展》，北京，2012年，圖版009，同見一荷蘭賴斯韋克出土琉璃方尊例，頁95，圖1。第三例藏於葡萄牙里斯本梅泰羅．阿爾梅達基金會之家博物館，列展於《Do Tejo aos Mares da China. Uma Epopeia Portuguesa》，克魯斯國家宮，克魯斯，1991年，編號47。另有一紋樣略粗方尊例，展於《故宮博物院、上海博物館藏明清貿易瓷》，上海，2015年，圖版 52。另見香港藝術館藏一例，收入香港東方陶瓷協會展覽《明末清初陶瓷展覽》，香港藝術館，香港，1981年，編號 49，同展另有一清初類例，編號50。