A FINE IRON-RED DECORATED CUP WITH AN IMPERIAL POEM SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a short straight foot to an everted rim, the exterior inscribed in iron-red with an Imperial poem Sanqing Cha ('Three Purities Tea'), dated to the bingyin year of the Qianlong reign, corresponding to 1746, and terminating with two seal marks reading qian and long respectively, all between two ruyi bands bordering the rim and foot, the interior with a medallion enclosing sprigs of the 'Three Purities', prunus blossoms, pine needles and finger-citrons, surrounded by two further ruyi bands, the base inscribed in iron-red with a six-character seal mark

The overall condition is excellent, with only some minor surface wear to the iron-red.
"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."

A porcelain bowl inscribed with this poem in underglaze blue was included in the Special exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 142; and two iron-red examples were included in the exhibition Late Chinese Imperial Porcelain, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1980, cat. no. 1. For an example in lacquer, see a bowl in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Sir Harry M. Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 93; and a pair of bowls from the Tianjin Municipal Art Museum, published in Zhongguo qiqi quanji, vol. 6, Fuzhou, 1993, pl. 211.