明嘉靖 傳周柱製黃花梨嵌寶荔枝圖倭角長方盤

of rectangular form with cusped corners, the interior skilfully inlaid in malachite, soapstone and mother-of-pearl with a leafy branch bearing clusters of lychee, each fruit textured with a diaper pattern and the green leaves naturalistically detailed with veins, the outer rim bordered with a wire-inlaid T-scroll band

One of the leaves (top of right in catalogue photo) has been carefully replaced, and has a lighter green colour. Otherwise the tray is in good condition with just minor age cracks.
"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."

本品嵌飾精細，具嘉靖時期雕刻大師周柱之工藝風格，可謂一脈相承。周柱巧用各色百寶雕刻、拼貼活靈活現之景緻，裝飾於名貴木材，更開創性營造三維視效，獨具特色。其製品對後世啟發、影響可謂甚遠，揚州多有能工巧匠承其風格。 可參考一圓蓋盒例，其上紋飾與本品相似，傳周柱製，售於奧林匹亞蘇富比2003年7月17日，編號433，後為水松石山房藏，再售於香港蘇富比2016年6月2日，編號42。另外，北京故宮藏明末嵌寶蓋盒數例，可資比較，均錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．竹木牙角雕刻》，香港，2002年，圖錄編號219至225。

此倭角長方盤飾折枝荔枝紋飾，枝葉繁茂，果實成群。荔枝與「立子」發音相近，故含「多子多孫」、「子孫綿延」之吉祥寓意。