Expert's Note:
Pairs of Imperial carved cinnabar lacquer bowls with gilt-bronze bodies of this exact auspicious type are exceptionally rare. Even the National Palace Museum records only a single example, cataloged as a “wan sui chang chun” bowl with no cover. The Palace Museum presents its near-identical Qianlong “wan shou chang chun” bowl and cover as a singular, highlighted example within its published material, underscoring the extraordinary rarity of a complete pair. To the best of our knowledge, no comparable pair has appeared on the Western auction market in recent decades.

China, 1736-1795. Each with a massive and richly gilt bronze body. The deep rounded sides rising from a spreading foot to an everted rim, deftly carved overall through the rich cinnabar lacquer to the exterior with alternating lotus blossoms and shou characters encircled by ruyi borders, surrounded by scrolling foliage against a dense lozenge-diapered ground, framed by a band of ruyi-heads below the rim and a band of key-fret encircling the foot.

The matching covers similarly formed and decorated, the rims and interiors richly gilt. (4)

Provenance: Spink & Son, London (label to one bowl). The Mark and Elizabeth Harding Collection, Kimberley, South Africa, acquired from the above. Mark and Elizabeth Harding were prominent private collectors with a particular interest in Asian and modern art. They began building their collection in the late 1960s, notably acquiring works by Vladimir Tretchikoff in 1969, and developed a close personal relationship with the artist, selecting studio works during visits to Cape Town in the early 1970s. Their collection has been featured in international and South African auctions, including significant Asian works such as netsuke and ceramics.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, little warping, expected minor age cracks, few minute losses to lacquer and few tiny touchups. Light rubbing to gilt. With a beautiful naturally grown patina overall, displaying exceptionally well.

Weight: 388.2 g and 335.3 g (including covers)
Dimensions: Diameter 11 cm and 11.1 cm (the cups)

During the Qianlong reign, cinnabar lacquer ware reached its zenith, becoming one of the most celebrated achievements of Qing craftsmanship. The meticulous process of applying multiple layers of lacquer to create rich, deep red surfaces was perfected during this period. Lacquer was carefully carved to reveal intricate designs, often featuring floral, landscape, and figural motifs, demonstrating both technical precision and artistic elegance. The Qianlong period was marked by a heightened appreciation for lacquer's potential, as it was applied to a variety of materials, blending traditional techniques with innovative experimentation. This era's lacquer pieces, known for their luxurious finish and remarkable depth of color, were highly prized by the imperial court and collectors alike.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related cinnabar lacquer bowl with 'wan sui chang chun' characters to the side, dated 18th century, 12.6 cm diameter, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, reference number 故漆000195N000000000. Compare a closely related cinnabar lacquer bowl with 'wan shou chang chun' characters to the side, dated to the Qianlong period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 6 April 2015, lot 20
Price: HKD 2,320,000 or approx. EUR 314,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved cinnabar lacquer bowl and stand, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving, high relief, bronze body, and rich gilding. Note the different form and size (20 cm).