清乾隆 御製紫檀圓雕熊

substantially carved in the round as a bear seated on its haunches with the head lifted upwards, depicted with a characteristic tapering and flat-fronted snout, the mouth rendered slightly agape and revealing its clenched teeth, further accentuated with round alert eyes and small funnel-form ears, the beast realistically portrayed with taut muscles and prominent spinal column terminating in a short tail, the forelegs extended before the body with curved paws as though supporting something, covered overall with incised short streaks simulating a hairy body, the surface smoothly and well patinated to a dark brown colour

The bear is in overall good condition. Both arms and its right leg were carved from separate pieces of zitan wood. There are some expected small chips to the extremities, especially to its ears and right eyelid, as well as typical age cracks and associated losses, some refilled, such as one strip to its right haunch (visible in the catalogue illustration p. 153).
"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."

此紫檀熊尺寸宏碩，雕工精湛，堪稱上品。本品以珍貴紫檀雕成，造型古樸，或為乾隆年間孤例，極有可能出自內廷造辦處，供御賞玩。

此熊造型罕見，呈蹲坐狀，頭向右，仰首高昂，前肢及雙掌強壯有力，彷彿抓緊某物。自西漢始，有製銅熊，或為陳設、或為禮祭器配飾。此類熊件，造工精美巧究，或屬一組四件席鎮。可參考兩件造型幾乎相同的鎏金銅熊，其中一件出自華盛頓參議員 Hugh Scott 收藏，展於《Ancient Chinese Bronzes and Gilt Bronzes from the Wessen and Other Collections》，埃斯卡納齊古董行，倫敦，1980年，編號22。另一例為安思遠舊藏，售於紐約佳士得2015年3月17日，編號1。兩件銅熊皆舉一手搔耳，姿態罕見。

台北故宮博物院藏一件漢代鎏金銅嵌寶熊尊，或為大型器冊之輔飾，收錄於《敬天格物：中國歷代玉器展》，國立故宮博物院，台北，2011年，編號7-3-10。其熊身矯健有力，一掌握珠，極富動感。乾隆皇帝甚愛此器，據檔案記載，乾隆特意下旨，照《西清古鑑》中宮藏「飛熊」複製木樣，送往蘇州仿成玉，所得玉尊，精緻絕倫，與銅器原型相差無幾，現藏台北故宮博物院，載錄於上述圖錄，編號7-3-9。

漢代熊形銅器多為器足或底托裝飾，但本品姿態獨特，雙腿屈曲，雙掌張開呈抓物狀，現時暫無其它近例可供參考，亦無法準確判斷其出處及用途，但本品有可能為宮廷御製，或為佛教供器底托，或供案雕塑。同類器可參考數對紫檀嵌牙胡人持掐絲琺瑯佛教供例，如英王喬治五世之妻瑪麗王后舊藏對例，展於《International Exhibition of Chinese Art》，皇家藝術學院，倫敦，1935-36年，編號2314，後售於倫敦蘇富比2001年11月14日，編號129。