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拍品专文
The text is a commentary on a period of Emperor Qianlong's life when he had reached the age of eighty; and documented by the court official, Shen Chu, according to the last line in the text which reads: Chen Shen Chu Jingshu, 'Respectfully written by (your) servant Shen Chu'. Shen Chu (1735-1799) is recorded as a scholar-official who served in the Qianlong reign, and during his life time he contributed to the cataloguing of Palace archives such as the Shiqu Baoji and Midian Zhulin, cf. Qingdai Dingjialu, Taiwan, 1983, pp. 122-3. For an example of Shen Chu's calligraphy, see Emperor Ch'ien-lung's Grand Cultural Enterprise, National Palace Museum, 2002, pp. 92-93, pl. II-15.
The text elucidates Qianlong's thoughts with many references to classical literature. A synopsis of its content expounds that when the Emperor had reached the age of seventy, a seal bearing the seal chop Guxi Tianzi zhibao, 'Treasure of a seventy-year-old Emperor', was carved as well as another seal, Youri zizi, 'Daily Diligence'. The latter was to remind the Emperor of his duties to the Nation; to seek Heaven's protection in preventing natural adversities. As the Emperor attained certain achievements when he reached the age of eighty, another imperial seal with the title Bazheng Maonian Zhibao was carved to commemorate this particular landmark. The Emperor expressed his wish to abdicate in the 60th year of his reign but since he had arrived at his eightieth year, he still had six more years to govern.
The prose continues to propound that whilst most people of eighty are frail, the Emperor was blessed with good health. Nonetheless, he had to protect himself, otherwise how would he serve his remaining years? The Emperor should continue to visit personally his ancestral shrine even in times of inclement weather as he must not forget national disasters such as floods, and his people's needs must be remembered. Even at an old age, the Emperor must consider his people by carrying out his duties for the next six years, and be constantly reminded by his seal: Youri Zizi. Qianlong also made references to Wufu Wudai Tang, 'Five generations of Progeny in one's lifetime'. According to Emperor Qianlong, from the time of the Han dynasty only thirty-six emperors had enjoyed long life but only three had reached the age of eighty. Out of these select three, the only person that he respected was Yuanshizu, the first emperor of the Yuan Mongols (Khubilai Khan). However, Qianlong considered himself more fortunate in comparison as he had perpetuated generations of off-springs. With his love for the people and assiduousness in daily governing of State affairs, he had hoped that he had set an example for his sons and grandsons to follow. Qianlong had also hoped that if any of his descendants survived as septuagenarian or octogenarian, they will reflect the aspirations of this book and the Qing dynasty will continue for several millennia.
This same text also appears incised on the exterior of a zitan box encasing two Qianlong white jade seals, Bazheng Maonian Zhibao, and Guxi Tianzi Zhibao, included in the exhibition, Qing Legacies: the Sumptuous Art of Imperial Packaging, Macau, 2000, and illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 86, no. 18. This set of seals and fitted box is illustrated again in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware III, Commercial Press, Hong Kong, 1995, p. 223, no. 182. The commemoration text also appears inscribed another zitan box accommodating two spinach-green jade seals, illustrated op. cit., National Palace Museum, 2002, p. 38, pl. I-20 (see fig. 1).
The text elucidates Qianlong's thoughts with many references to classical literature. A synopsis of its content expounds that when the Emperor had reached the age of seventy, a seal bearing the seal chop Guxi Tianzi zhibao, 'Treasure of a seventy-year-old Emperor', was carved as well as another seal, Youri zizi, 'Daily Diligence'. The latter was to remind the Emperor of his duties to the Nation; to seek Heaven's protection in preventing natural adversities. As the Emperor attained certain achievements when he reached the age of eighty, another imperial seal with the title Bazheng Maonian Zhibao was carved to commemorate this particular landmark. The Emperor expressed his wish to abdicate in the 60th year of his reign but since he had arrived at his eightieth year, he still had six more years to govern.
The prose continues to propound that whilst most people of eighty are frail, the Emperor was blessed with good health. Nonetheless, he had to protect himself, otherwise how would he serve his remaining years? The Emperor should continue to visit personally his ancestral shrine even in times of inclement weather as he must not forget national disasters such as floods, and his people's needs must be remembered. Even at an old age, the Emperor must consider his people by carrying out his duties for the next six years, and be constantly reminded by his seal: Youri Zizi. Qianlong also made references to Wufu Wudai Tang, 'Five generations of Progeny in one's lifetime'. According to Emperor Qianlong, from the time of the Han dynasty only thirty-six emperors had enjoyed long life but only three had reached the age of eighty. Out of these select three, the only person that he respected was Yuanshizu, the first emperor of the Yuan Mongols (Khubilai Khan). However, Qianlong considered himself more fortunate in comparison as he had perpetuated generations of off-springs. With his love for the people and assiduousness in daily governing of State affairs, he had hoped that he had set an example for his sons and grandsons to follow. Qianlong had also hoped that if any of his descendants survived as septuagenarian or octogenarian, they will reflect the aspirations of this book and the Qing dynasty will continue for several millennia.
This same text also appears incised on the exterior of a zitan box encasing two Qianlong white jade seals, Bazheng Maonian Zhibao, and Guxi Tianzi Zhibao, included in the exhibition, Qing Legacies: the Sumptuous Art of Imperial Packaging, Macau, 2000, and illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 86, no. 18. This set of seals and fitted box is illustrated again in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware III, Commercial Press, Hong Kong, 1995, p. 223, no. 182. The commemoration text also appears inscribed another zitan box accommodating two spinach-green jade seals, illustrated op. cit., National Palace Museum, 2002, p. 38, pl. I-20 (see fig. 1).