Ningshou Gong, 'The Palace of Peace and Tranquility', was purposely built for use as Qianlong's official retirement residence, although the Emperor eventually chose to reside at Yu Fa Yuan, 'The Imperial Garden'. Ningshou Gong was later used by the Dowager Empress Cixi (1835-1908) as a function room to receive guests.

Compare with another silk and gilded metallic thread carpet of similar date sold in our New York Rooms, 2 December 1993, lot 133, woven with nine dragons within the central medallion and bearing the hall mark Taihe Dian Beiyong, 'For the Use in the Hall of Supreme Harmony'.