A RECTANGULAR PEWTER TEAPOT AND COVER BY JIESHENG, QING DYNASTY

the wood handle bearing archaistic silver-inlay decorations above a studio name in seal script, Hongshan Guan ('Red Coral Establishment'), one side of the pewter vessel incised with flowering prunus branches, the other with a poetic inscription and signed Jiesheng, the cover set with a jade finial

The Oriental Art Gallery, London, 1996.

The teapot and cover are in overall good condition, with only some minor tarnishing, expected dents especially to the extremities, as well as typical surface scratches and wear.
"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."

The inscribed verses are excerpted from the poem Xishan banruo shi cha ge ('A Song of Lingering Tea at the West Mountain Wilderness') by the Tang poet Liu Yuxi (772-842) and may be translated:

To know the refreshing flavour of the flower buds,
One must sleep on the clouds and tiptoe on rocks.