Jade, wood, lacquer paintChina, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)Dimensions: Height 260 cm by 320 cm by 120 cmWeight: 1,100 kilogramsThe carriage is rectangular in shape and has a two-tier roof. The three openwork side panels have large openings and quatrefoil windows with ornate frames. Strings with green and white beads are attached to the front side of the coach and to the windows and openings. On the left side, next to the wheel, a miniature stairway leads to an opening. The wooden wheels are covered with serpentinite plates. The drawbars of the chariot are shaped like dragons touching the ground with one front leg. The heads of the two dragons are connected to the roof by long chains. With accordance to the dragons, a description on the roof reads ‘Carriage of Ten Thousand Holy Dragons’ (wan sheng long che), hence there are dragon designs all over the carriage. In addition, there are figures of phoenix birds, bats, and female deities or musicians, as wvell as bells, coin symbols and characters for longevity (shou) carved out of serpentinite jade. Two small pavilion-shaped incense burners sitting on columns are situated on the terraced roof.These specific carriages were used at indoor gatherings at the imperial court for the birthday of the emperor, or the Empress or the Empress Dowager. The honoured person was seated in the carriage while high-ranking civil and military officials offered congratulations.Additional: two serpentinite jade-carved palace lanterns with pierced sides and dragon design supported by carved wood columns.A ‘Carriage of Ten Thousand Holy Dragons’, from the time of the Xianfeng Emperor (1851-1861), is kept in the Luzhou Forbidden City Museum in New Taipei City.Similar carriages are kept in the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo and in the Chinese Garden of Friend in Sydney.Carriage Purchased: March 1995 from Nemco International Jewelers, NY , USA value 700.000 USLanterns Purchased: March 1995 from Nemco International Jewelers, NY , USA value 25.000 USValuated by SBISEO Swiss Institute for Valuations, 23rd July 2021 .The estimated market value is 120.000 to 150.000 CHF