明嘉靖 傳周柱製紫檀嵌寶松蔭文會圖長方蓋盒

exquisitely inlaid with mother-of-pearl, malachite, soapstone, stained horn and various hardstones, the cover depicting three scholars seated around a low table examining a handscroll underneath an overhanging pine tree, looked on by an attendant while another attendant brews tea on a stove set nearby, the sides decorated with blossoming prunus branches, fitted with original internal tray

The box and cover is in good condition, and the inlays are especially well preserved. There are minor losses, notably the leaves of the branch on one side of the box. There is some consolidation to age cracks at the corners. Other general surface wear and bruising.
"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."

此類精緻蓋盒，多以名貴紫檀嵌百寶而成，素為難求。本品鑲工美輪美奐，可見出自明代雕刻大師周柱之手，據明清史料載，嘉靖年間周氏活躍於江蘇揚州，以其百寶嵌聞名，擅於木及漆器上，細鑲五彩雜寶，所用玉石種類繁多，紋樣複雜，出類拔萃。本件蓋盒所嵌之寶品類繁多，壽山石、孔雀石、角等皆為其用，與其他周柱作品如出一轍。周柱之鑲嵌工藝極為繁複，層疊錯落，營造三維視效，又綴以金、銀等貴重金屬，屢創層次豐富之佳品。後人之作，縱清代盛世所出，論嵌料繁細亦鮮有出其右者。 周柱生年不詳，據明清典籍，乃嘉靖時人，活躍於江蘇揚州一帶。香港蘇富比2010年10月8日售出之木蓋盒（編號2192），盒面以玉石嵌飾蒙人狩獵圖，按風格應屬周柱藝作，底書朱漆年款，紀年「大明嘉靖丁酉年造」，即1537年，與文獻記載年代吻合。

本件蓋盒所嵌圖景謂為「雅集」，乃文人高士賞音律、品詩文、鑑骨董之聚。一例較大，圖景相類，更為繁細，旁側加飾爛漫花枝，先後售於香港蘇富比1988年11月16/17日，編號256，及2012年4月4日儒雅清蘊（二）── 水松石山房藏珍玩專場，編號179。另一嵌百寶蓋盒例，售於香港蘇富比2016年6月2日水松石山房藏珍玩專場 ── 逸翫俊賞，編號88。

北京故宮博物院清宮舊藏中，見有相類嵌百寶蓋盒，錄《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集：竹木牙角雕刻》，香港，2002年，圖版219-248。另一盒，飾狩獵圖，應同為周柱之作，刊《故宮雕刻珍萃》，北京，2004年，圖版100。