Binoculars were introduced to China during the late Ming dynasty and multiply in number during the Qing dynasty. From the Qianlong to Jiaqing era (1736-1820) of the Qing dynasty, wealthy merchants and noblemen in Canton often used binoculars. This small binocular was made with metal and pearl shell (MOTHER-OF-PEARL). Precious and delicate, it was a fashionable plaything of a well-off family at the time.