Of deeply rounded form with a slightly everted rim, the exterior inscribed in iron-red with a poem written in standard script between two bands of ‘ruyi’heads, the interior decorated with a medallion of pine, plum blossoms and finger citron below two corresponding bands of ‘ruyi’ heads, inscribed with a Jiaqingsix-character seal mark in iron red on the base. It is believed that this bowl was made at the very beginning of the Jiaqing period. It bears a distinguished resemblance to those made under the previous emperor's reign, both in style and quality. The poem on the bowl, Sanqing cha (The Purity Tea) was one of the Qianlong Emperor's favourites. It described the tea made from prunus, finger citron, and pine nut kernels, and praises the virtues of tea making.Inscription Translation:Prunus, beautiful not coquettish;Citron, pure with rich aroma;Pine nut, tasty and fragment,The three are all pure and fresh to extreme.Boiled in an ancient boiler together with snow water for treat.The key is to well control of fire and observe the appearing and vanishing of vapor while boiling.From a small tea bowl made in Yue kiln the immortal drink is poured.Inside a humble house the joy of tranquility and harmony is longed for.My whole world is largely purified, which is a feeling beyond words.Widely spread the pleasant aroma, lively suffused the pure drink.This must be a gift from an immortal for poet Lin Bu while he was enjoying prunus.Even early tea sages, Cong Shen from Zhaozhou and Yu Chuan, can not compare with it.At a cold night, listen to the sound of dripping from water clock,Look up at the far-away jade-like moon,Drink a few bowls of this tea,Here comes poem inspiration and endless joy.Written by Qianlong Emperor in the early spring of 1746.(Translation by Qi Yue, Palace Museum, Beijing made during ITP visit 2014.)PROVENANCE: Sotheby's Hong Kong 27 April 2003, lot 210A very similar bowl with Jiaqing six-character seal mark was sold at Christie's New York, 17-18 March 2016