A BRONZE STEM BOWL SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of circular form raised on a splayed foot encircled by a central raised rib, with shallow rounded sides rising to a lipped everted rim, the bronze patinated to a rich coppery-brown colour mottled with golden undertones, the interior of the stem cast with a six-character horizontal seal mark within a recessed panel 

Acquired at Bermondsey Antiques Market, London, 1987.

There are expected surface scratches as expected from use and age, and the rim is slightly warped. The stem bowl is otherwise in overall 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."

It is extremely rare to find a bronze stembowl of this ritual form cast with a Qianlong reign mark, and of the period. Skilfully formed with shallow rounded sides and a raised rib on the foot, it is a shape more commonly found in porcelain; see for example two copper-red stembowls with Qianlong marks and of the period, the first illustrated in Gordon Lang, The Powell-Cotton Collection of Chinese Ceramics, Birchington, 1988, pl. 12, no. 101, and the second, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in our London rooms, 6th December 1994, lot 192; and two celadon-glazed examples, one from the collection of E.G. Kostolany, sold in our London rooms, 13th November 1990, lot 185, and the other, in our London rooms, 20th May 1986, lot 95. Stemcups of this type derive from the form of stemcups produced in porcelain in the early Ming dynasty for use at court or as presentation gifts to high lamas in Tibet. A Xuande reign-marked blue and white porcelain stem cup inscribed with a prayer was sold in these rooms, 8th April 2009, lot 1671, the counterpart to one preserved in the Potala Palace collection, included in the exhibition Treasures from Snow Mountains. Gems of Tibetan Cultural Relics, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, 2001, cat. no. 96.