Emperor Qianlong’s Helmet

This helmet, also known as a zhou, together with its attached tassel, forms a complete set. It was worn by the Qianlong Emperor during grand military reviews and was made after the twenty-first year of his reign. The ‘grand review’ was an ancient military ritual, an important event where the emperor inspected the national army. Grand reviews in the Qianlong period began in the fourth year of his reign.

Although regulations stipulated they be held annually, the immense cost meant they were conducted only irregularly.
The helmet’s front and back ridges are decorated with diamond-encrusted tengshe (snake-like) creatures, whose form is quite similar to Western dragons, possibly indicating foreign cultural influence.