This is a gold celestial globe inlaid with pearls. It was made by royal craftsmen during Qing Emperor Qianlong’s time (1736-1795). The gold globe has a compass at the South Pole and a plate of the 12two-hour periods at the North Pole. On the surface are 3,240 pearls, each symbolizing a star. The base and the stand are both elaborately designed. The stand shows several entwined dragons, while the base has three feet shaped like monsters. It was a favourite possession of Emperor Qianlong, the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
