A page of <u>The Illustrated Regulations for Ceremonial Paraphernalia of the Present Dynasty</u>, an illustrated manuscript commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor (r.1736-1795). The book consists of six parts - ceremonial vessels, scientific equipments, dress, musical instruments, insignia, and weaponry, containing more than 1300 leaves of illustrations and explanatory texts. The page shows a colour illustration of the state reception chair carried by the guard of the Imperial concubines of the first rank with a caption written in regular script to its right.