Hindustan Octagonal Case Inlaid with Gems, Qianlong Reign Period, Qing Dynasty (1736-1795). Jade. Height 3.1 cm, Diameter of mouth and base 12.4 cm. Shanghai Museum.

This octagonal case is a jade ware of Islamic style of the Western Regions. In the Qianlong period, jade wares inlaid with gems prevailed in Hindustan (today's northern India, Kashmir areas). The rulers found great favour after its introduction to China. So the Chinese craftsman made a great number of reproductions. The outlines of the branches and leaves of the flowers and plants were inlaid with gold filigree, with rubies and emeralds in between. The date mark on the base is ‘Da Qing Qian Long Nian Zhi’, meaning ‘made in the reign period of Qianlong of the great Qing dynasty’ and is inscribed with ‘to be preserved and used by all the generations to come’, revealing Emperor Qianlong's great affection for it.