The throne is stated to have been smuggled out of Peiping, where it stood in the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City, shortly before the Japanese invasion.
was carried across China and Russia by. coolie cart, mule train, junk and railway, and finally reached the vaults of the Municipal Art Museum in Amsterdam.
It was nominally valued for insurance purposes during the Exhibition at £400,000, but has not yet been insured.
The throne consists of a large armchair raised on a dais. It is approached on either side and in front by a fight of nine steps, guarded by dragons forming balustrades. Behind the throne is a broad screen of eight large panels in dark brown wood. on which are carved dragons. On either ide are ledges, like tables, on which e Imperial regalia reposed. Between the throne and the panel screen are enormous columns supporting fans peacock feathers.
Despite its enormous size the value of the throne is not due to its intrinsic Neutrality Aet is per Powers to Be Givéh President; War
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.