White Jade Bowl Inlaid with Gold and Gemstones

The White Jade Bowl Inlaid with Gold and Gemstones measures about 14 centimeters in mouth diameter and features two peach-shaped ears, a petal-shaped bottom, and thin and translucent walls.

The outer side of the wall is adorned with the patterns of flowers and leaves. The petals and stamens of the flowers are made of 108 finely carved rubies, and the branches and leaves are crafted with gold sheets. The inside wall is engraved with a 60-word poem by Emperor Qianlong, which explains the origin, material, and usage of this bowl.

Atthe bottom of the bowl are four Chinese characters "乾隆御用" in lishu, or the clerical script, translated as "For the use of Emperor Qianlong". This bowl had been much cherished by Emperor Qianlong since it was made in 1786. It was even used to award tea to ministers by the emperor during important celebrations.

This bowl radiates exotic Hindustan style. Originating from West and Central Asia, Hindustan jade wares are characterized by lightness, gaudy inlays, and exotic carvings, which look exquisite and crystal clear. In the palace archives, such jade objects were called "xifanzuo", meaning "works in the style of the Western Regions".

The jade bowl was made by the Imperial Workshop of the Qing Dynasty. Its superb carving and inlaying techniques manifest the decorative style of the Western Regions, evidencing cultural exchange and integration between China and other countries in the 18th Century.

白玉錯金嵌寶石碗

白玉錯金嵌寶石碗，碗口直徑約14厘米，裝飾有桃形雙耳、花瓣式圈足，碗壁薄可透光。壁外側有花葉紋，其中花瓣、花蕊是用108顆精雕細琢的紅寶石做成，枝葉則是金片組成。壁內側陰刻楷書乾隆皇帝御制詩一首，共60字，說明了此碗的來歷、材質和用途。碗內底部正中有隸書“乾隆御用”四字。此碗自乾隆五十一年（1786）制成后始終為乾隆皇帝所珍愛，甚至在慶典活動時還被當作御殿賜茶的用具。

此碗充滿異域文化特色，有典型的痕都斯坦風格。痕都斯坦玉器來自西亞、中亞地區，特征為器物輕薄、多艷麗的鑲嵌、刻異域風格花紋，整體纖巧秀美、晶瑩剔透。這類玉器在宮廷檔案中被稱為“西番作”，意即西域特色的作品。

該碗是由清宮造辦處制作完成，其高超的玉雕和金銀寶石鑲嵌技術，呈現了西域的裝飾風格，是18世紀中外文化交流融合的例證。