A PAIR OF IMPERIAL INSCRIBED CINNABAR LACQUER TEA BOWLS SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |

each with deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior carved through layers of cinnabar lacquer to an ochre square-diaper ground, with an imperial poem dated to bingyin year (corresponding to 1746) followed by the seals Qian and Long, between borders of ruyi motifs against matching diaper grounds around the foot and rim, the red-lacquered base carved with a six-character seal mark within a recessed square, the interior lined with silver, wood stands

The bowls are in unusually good condition for lacquer bowls of this set, with no missing characters. However, there are tiny losses to characters, including one stroke of the ‘chun’ character on the left bowl and several small losses to characters on the right bowl in the catalogue photo. The silver lining to the interior of both bowls has some tarnishing.
"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."

This pair of tea bowls, part of a tea set probably used by the Qianlong Emperor at tea ceremonies held during New Year celebrations, is inscribed with one of his favourite poems, Sanqing cha ('Three Purity Tea').  The Qianlong Emperor wrote this poem in the bingyin year (in accordance with 1746), on the occasion of his 36th birthday while sipping tea in his studio on a cold winter's day. The poem describes the tea made from plum blossoms, finger citron and pine nut kernels. These three ingredients are brewed in snow water, giving the tea a pure quality and special flavour. The poem further describes the virtues of tea making. Simplicity, austerity and purity of tea drinking reminds the Emperor of Buddhist values.  The poem is recorded in Qing gaozong yuzhi shiwen quanji [Anthology of imperial Qianlong poems and prose], Yuzhi shiwen chuji [Imperial poems, vol. 1], juan 36, p. 17. A translation by Clarence F. Shangraw is published in 'Chinese Lacquers in Asian Art Museum of San Francisco', Orientations, April 1986, p. 41.

          Plum blossoms appear too chastened, 
          Buddha hand citron too fragrant
          pine nut kernels carry the taste of richness and rarity, 
          tea like these three would be out of the ordinary.
          The water for tea is simply boiled in a broken-legged pot, 
          so thoroughly that its heat could penetrate through a basket of snow.
          Flames shaped like fish and crabs show the strength of the fire
               as the smoke of the stove appears and disappears in turn. 
          The Tea like 'fairy's milk' is poured into a Yuezhou tea bowl, here in my studio,
          just as I am taking an interest in Buddhist thoughts. 
          The principles of the 'five yun' refer primarly to purity, (like tea) for they defy
          exposition, but can be readily understood.
          The pure, naturally aromatic tea is passed around with hands
               as soft as a cotton ball.
          This tea would be a suitable drink for the immortal Wu Chuan and would
          certainly be appreciate by Lin Pu. 
          But I am too lazy to have tea sipping parties like a Zhao Zhu and I cannot help
          but laugh at the artfulness of a Yu Chuan. 
          I listen to the sound of the water clock
          In the still cold night, 
          I look out, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky. 
          After drinking some wine and tea at my small table, I feel so elated I seek apt
          verses to express my thoughts.  

For a closely related pair of bowls also carved with the Qianlong Emperor's poem Sanqing cha ('Three Purity Tea'), see a pair in the Tianjin Municipal Art Museum, Tianjin, illustrated in Zhongguo qiqi quanji [Complete series on Chinese lacquer], vol. 6, Fuzhou, 1993, pl. 211; another pair in the Avery Brundage collection, published in Clarence F. Shangraw, op. cit., p. 41; and a bowl in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, pl. 93. Further examples include a bowl sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1644; and another pair also sold in these rooms, 1st May 2001, lot 678.

Bowls inscribed with the Sanqing cha are also well-known in porcelain, decorated in cobalt or iron-red; see a blue and white version sold in these rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 30, along with an iron-red example, lot 31. For a jade bowl of the same design, see one sold in these rooms, 2nd May 2005, lot 526.