A PAIR OF YELLOW-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE QUATREFOIL 'TEA-POEM' TRAYS SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

the shallow lobed sides of quatrefoil section, resting on four slightly incurved elongated gilt feet, the interior centred with a quatrefoil panel enclosing an imperial poem pertaining to the preparation of tea and dated to the dingsi year of Jiaqing's reign (corresponding to 1797), all within two bands of scrolling lotus and florets bordering the gilt rim, the exterior similarly decorated with a composite floral scroll band, all the detail picked out in shaded tones of pink, blue and green against a brilliant yellow ground, the yellow base centred with an iron-red six-character seal mark within a white panel, wood stands

There is wear to one of the corners of one of the trays. General rubbing to the gilding on the bracket feet. There are glaze gaps to the base of one tray near the gilt border.
"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 closely related tray, inscribed with a poem composed by the Jiaqing emperor on the correct preparation of tea, illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. CXI, no. 2, was sold in these rooms, 1st November 1974, lot 335.

Jiaqing mark and period dishes of this type are also known painted in underglaze blue; see one included in the exhibition Treasures of Imperial Porcelain. Official Kiln Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty Collected by Hangzhou Tu Huo Zhai Museum of Antique Ceramics, Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou, 2011, cat. no. 146; another, from the collection of Mr and Mrs Albert Nipon of Gladwyne, sold in these rooms, 1st November 1994, lot 168; and a pair, from the George Weishaupt collection, one illustrated in Gunhild Avitabile, From the Dragon's Treasure, London, 1987, pl. 13, sold in our London rooms, 16th October 1995, lot 1.

Stephen W. Bushell, in Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981, p. 239, translates the poem on the bowls as follows:

          Finest tribute tea of the first picking
          And a bright full moon prompts poetry.
          A lively fire glows in the bamboo stove.
          The water is boiling in the stone griddle,
          Small bubbles rise like ears of fish or crab.
          Of rare Qi Qiang tea, rolled in tony balls.
          One cup is enough to lighten the heart,
          And dissipate the early winter chill. 

This poem adorned a variety of teawares and reveals the Jiaqing emperor's enjoyment of tea. 

Dated to the dingsi year of Jiaqing's reign (corresponding to 1797) this poem was written by Jiaqing and adorns a variety of teawares, revealing his appreciation of tea.