The lunar 18th day of the 3rd month of the 52th year into the Kanxi reign (1713) marked the Emperor’s 60th birthday. Addressing this extraordinary event, the emperor wrote in his edict that “Since the dynasties of Qin and Han, there have been 193 emperors and none has lived longer than I have.” He hosted the Banquet of a Thousand Seniors at the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong) and the Garden of Pleasant Spring (Changchun Yuan), where over 1900 officials, courtiers and commoners aged 65 and above were entertained. Princes and royal relatives also came to toast to their health. Subsequently, a memorial and a painting, the Imperial Birthday Celebrations, were commissioned to record the regal pomp.
- Item No.
- 294445-012
- Period
- 1713
- Dimensions
- 27x25 cm
- Materials
- paper
