DATED BY INSCRIPTION TO THE 56TH YEAR OF QIANLONG CORRESPONDING TO 1791

Dong Gao (1740-1818) was the son of Dong Bangda (1699-1769) and took his jinshi degree in 1763. A noted and high-ranking government official, he served the Qianlong and Jiaqing Emperors for more than four decades. He held numerous illustrious posts and supervised the compilation of several imperial histories and anthologies. The emperors also prized Dong Gao's calligraphy and paintings, many of which are included in the Palace collection.