Lot Essay
The painting mentioned by the inscription on the present clasp might be referring to the painting Dressage, jointly painted by Castiglione and Zhang Tingya in 1754, which recorded the grand reception held by the Qianlong Emperor for the Mongol leaders at the Bishu Shanzhuang, Chengde. It is recorded in the inventories of Shiqu baoji xubian, vol. 4, p. 40, and illustrated in The Complete Collection of The Treasures of the Palace Museum, Paintings by the Court Artists of the Qing Court, p. 165, no. 36.