Other Documents in National Palace Museum

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of other documents from the Qing dynasty! Here, you can explore a range of fascinating artifacts from this period, including the Gold-leaf Tributary Document from Siam, Diplomatic Credential Presented by the Great Qing Empire's Overseas Survey Envoy to the Great British Empire and Edicts for the Personal Rule of the T'ung-chih Emperor. These documents provide us with a unique insight into the diplomatic relations between China and other countries during this time, as well as the emperor's orders to his people. We hope you enjoy exploring these incredible artifacts!

1. Gold-leaf Tributary Document from Siam

This document from Siam has a very beautiful binding. The word "piao" was the term that the Qing dynasty government required vassal states to use when writing to the emperors of China.

2. Diplomatic Credential Presented by the Great Qing Empire's Overseas Survey Envoy to the Great British Empire

Diplomatic credentials are official documents sent by the head of state, as representative of his government, to the head of another country. They were used as instruments in international negotiations, and were sent by special emissaries.

3. Edicts: Edict for the Personal Rule of the T'ung-chih Emperor

An edict is a decree issued by the emperor. Edicts are designed to inform all officials, nobility, and commoners of the emperor's orders. Edicts usually deal with matters of great national importance, and are often intricately bound to some major historical event.