robustly potted with a pear-shaped body rising from a splayed foot to a waisted neck, flanked by a pair of archaistic scroll handles, the exterior boldly painted in rich cobalt-blue tones with large stylised lotus blooms borne on a leafy meander, all between ruyi and lappet bands, the neck encircled by a band of shou character roundels reserved on a trellis ground below a keyfret border, the foot skirted with a classic scroll band, inscribed to the base with a six-character seal mark

香港蘇富比1980年11月26日，編號288

It is in overall very good condition with only some minute spots of glaze wear to the edges of the handles.
"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."

本壺器形敦厚穩重，紋飾端秀，而且尺寸宏碩，通體花紋圖案精密細膩，足見匠藝高深。乾隆一朝造瓷，喜博採古今工藝特色，從明瓷紋飾、織品以至高古銅器，皆被引以迎合當下審美情趣，本品即為一例。此外，本品鈷藍釉發色濃艷，可見當時色料等素材皆為上等，瓷匠選優材而展所長，技藝精湛之餘，亦匠心獨運，時創新款。

此壺製作不易，瓷匠技藝須達一定火候，並借鑑各式高古藝術風格及造型，故成品慕古而不泥古，當中頗有新意。本壺雙耳仿周朝獸紋，但匠人將之抽象簡化，僅表現輪廓線條，流露時匠審🦋美趣味。

此碩大壺形仿自古青銅器，作法始見於雍正年間，時唐英出任景德鎮御窰督陶官，乾隆✃即位後續任此職。唐英承意旨，積極向高古藝術風格取材，而且高宗好鑑藏青銅、玉等器物，故乾隆一朝，古風盛行。

本品壺身蓮紋花枝繁盛，每朵蓮花圈以捲延枝草，壺頸飾一圈壽字紋。此外，本壺巧以鈷藍點苔仿明初青花黑疵，營造深淺對比，卻以粗獷枝妍代替前朝纖花細葉，突顯器身豐碩ꦇ飽滿。壺頸萬字錦地飾團壽，觀感寬宏大雅，明顯仿自織品，可參考一幅萬字錦刺繡，展於《盛世華章》，英國皇家藝術學院，倫敦，2005年，編號33。此壺器身紋飾布局精妙，巧用留白空間，使整體造型華美豐富而不過於繁縟。

上海博物館收藏一件近例，錄於《胡惠春先生王華雲女士捐贈瓷器精品選》，上海，1989年，圖版62。另一例，載於耿寶昌，《明清瓷器鑑定》，香港，1993年，圖版455。趙從衍舊藏一對，售於香港蘇富比1987年5月19日，編號272，展於《華光艸堂珍藏清代瓷🀅器》，香港中文大學文物館，香港，1973年，編號68。再有一例，Marchese Giuseppe Salvago Raggi 舊藏，售於倫敦蘇富比2012年5月16日，編號129。