A RARE CHINESE IMPERIAL CINNABAR LACQUER 'WAN SHOU WU JIANG' TEA BOWL

FOUR CHARACTER QIANLONG MARK AND OF THE PERIOD 1736-95

The U-shaped body carved with the four characters wan shou wu jiang, each contained within a roundel enclosed by a band of ruyi-heads, the medallions set amidst scrolling lotus on a ground of floral diaper, with further bands of ruyi-heads bordering the foot and mouthrim, the short foot incised with key fret, with a gilt-metal liner to the interior, 12cm.

Provenance: from a British private collection, purchased from Adrian Joseph of Allen Management in 1994.

Cf. H Garner, Chinese Lacquer, p.147, pl.92 for a bowl of the same design with a cover from the collection of The Victoria and Albert Museum, museum no.FE.60-1974.

Bowls with this design are believed to have been made for the Qianong Emperor's 70th birthday. The phrase wan shou wu jiang is used as a birthday greeting and can be translated as 'may you enjoy infinite longevity'. Similar patterns with these characters in medallions are also found on porcelain and cloisonné pieces.