款識：
辛卯年冬，以工筆沒骨重彩絹本雙面畫法，寫喧雀南天竹於氤夢
樓。劉墉。

鈐印：「劉墉」、「夢然」、「無用才子」、「氤夢樓」。

- Generally in good condition.
"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."

註：南天竹最美的是枝幹蒼老如古柏，莖葉又柔細如幽篁，夏天
開出成叢的小白花，秋天結出成串的小紅豆。尤其落雪的日子，
長青的葉片和硃紅的果實覆上白皚皚的雪花，綠紅白對比得分外
艷麗。或許正因霜雪不凋、蒼勁有節，南天竹也是長壽的象徵。

這幅畫描繪細雪中兩對麻雀，在南天竹間嬉戲，一對已經踞立枝
頭，另一對亟欲加入，雙方爭持不下，將枝梢的積雪抖落。天竹
嬌艷的果實是以硃砂洋紅和胭脂層層積染，雪花則在絹本的兩面
經營，造成三度空間的立體和細雪霏霏的氛圍。小雀各有情態，
在前面爭鬥的僵持不下，躲在後面的作勢幫腔。文學情節與繪畫
意象結合，創造出這幅生動有趣的畫面。

                                                                                                    ─劉墉