A FINE PAIR OF IRON-RED DECORATED TEABOWLS SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each painted in the centre with pine, flowering prunus and fruiting finger citron, encircled by two broad bands of whtie ruyi heads on an iron-red ground, the exterior inscribed in kaishu (standard script) with a poem written by the Qianlong Emperor with two seals Qian and Long and dated to the binyin year (corresponding to 1746), the base inscribed in iron-red with a six-character reign mark 

The overall condition is very good with the enamels all intact. There are a few dirty pinholes on the interior of one of the bowls.
"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 pair of bowls was included in the Art Gallery of New South Wales Exhibition of Late Chinese Imperial Porcelain, 1980, cat.no. 1, inscribed with the same Imperial poem, of which a translation is given on p. 54, dated to the tenth month of the cyclical year, bingyin, corresponding to November 13th - December 11th, 1746.  Another bowl in the Hong Kong Museum of Art was included in the exhibition The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, 1984, cat.no. 76 and one in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, in their Special Exhibition of K'ang-Hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain, 1986, cat.no. 142, together with a blue and white bowl, all inscribed with the same poem and date. 

See a single bowl of identical decoration, sold in these rooms, 14th November 1989, lot 254.  Also compare a pair of Jiaqing marked bowls with the same design, poem and date of poem, sold in these rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 210.