A famille rose yellow-ground teapot and cover. Jiaqing  iron-red  seal mark and of the period  (1796-1820) . photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

Of globular form, the teapot has a curved spout and a looped handle, and is supported on a short, slightly tapering foot. There is a gilt-bordered panel on each side containing a poem composed by the Jiaqing emperor inscribed in iron-red, dated dingsi year, corresponding to 1797, set against a yellow ground delicately painted with colourful lotus sprays, with a band ofruyi encircling the neck and a border of petal lappets rising above the foot. The cover is similarly enamelled with a band of lotus scroll, surmounted by a finial in the form of a flower bud; 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm.) wide. Lot 324. Estimate £60,000 - £80,000

Notes: A number of teapots and tea-trays dated to the Jiaqing period also contain this poem which has been translated by S. W. Bushell (Oriental Ceramic Art, London, 1981, p. 239) as:

Finest tribute tea of the first picking
And a bright full moon prompt a line of verse.
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.
Or rare Ch'i-ch'iang tea, rolled in tiny balls,
One cup is enough to lighten the heart,
And dissipate the early winter chill.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 15 May 2012. London, King Street