清乾隆 青花夔龍紋帶蓋筆盒 《大清乾隆年製》款

of rectangular form, the cover painted with interlaced ruyi and foliate scrolls, similarly decorated to the sides with archaistic kui dragon scrolls, the interior of the box divided into four compartments with three circular and one elongated quatrefoil openings, inscribed to the base with a six-character seal mark

香港蘇富比1978年5月23日，編號139
香港蘇富比1983年11月15日，編號240
趙從衍（1912-1999年）收藏，此後家族傳承

The box and cover are in overall good condition with minor shallow flakes to the flanges, the largest measuring 0.4 cm. One of the smaller sides of the cover is repainted, covering an area larger than the concealed crack/flake.
"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."

長方筆盒，形仿十三世紀以降伊斯蘭文具。傳統伊斯蘭書法家所用筆盒，以金屬製，或鏨或嵌，巧飾華麗，盒內分成三匣，可貯墨、剪刀、蘆葦或羽毛筆、修筆用之小刀。早於永樂年間，中國便以瓷仿製此類筆盒，明朝至清初延燒，內匣漸變小巧，以配合中國書家，飾紋更添祥瑞，如此盒上繪交鎖如意雲頭紋。

如此青花如意紋筆盒，甚罕，未見他例著錄。參考乾隆署款粉彩花卉紋筆盒，錄於周麗麗，《清代雍正至宣統官窰瓷器》，上海，2014年，圖版3-52，同載一青釉例，圖版3-15。

明初瓷例，則可參考大維德爵士舊藏青花花卉紋筆盒，現貯倫敦大英博物館，收錄於畢宗陶，《Blue and White for China: Porcelain Treasures in the Percival David Collection》，倫敦，2004年，圖版22。另有一青花串枝花紋例，嵌綴紅寶石等飾，定為洪武年製，存伊斯坦堡托普卡比宮殿博物館，圖見 John Carswell，《Blue and White: Chinese Porcelain Around the World》，倫敦，2000年，圖版149a。