The extravagance of the decoration on this bowl makes it unique, but nevertheless, very much in keeping with the opulent style of the Palace Workshops in Beijing, where jade lapidaries and other craftsmen were constantly finding new and innovative ways to present artworks to please the Qianlong emperor. An interesting aspect of the present lot is the trompe-l'oeil effect of the naturalistic high-relief carving of the plants on the interior of the bowl. The combination of lingzhi and wannianqing, a sturdy evergreen with clusters of red berries, provides the rebus wannian ruyi, 'May your wishes come true for the next ten thousand years'. The inclusion of a bat, fu, a homophone for 'fortune', adds to the auspicious wish.

The shape of the bowl is related to that of an alms bowl, and the motifs around the exterior also give that suggestion of ritual. However, this bowl was most likely used for decoration, rather than as a utilitarian item in the Palace.

For a white jade bowl with a similar composition in lower relief on the interior, see the example sold in these Rooms, 7 July 2003 (Catalogue dated 28 April 2003), lot 558.