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Translation of the Chinese text: "Drop earring ershi for the Empress Dowager and Empress/In accordance with the decree of the present dynasty: The drop earrings of the Empress Dowager and the Empress are to be three to each ear. Each earring consists of two first class of the east pearls held in the mouth of a golden dragon. The first-rank imperial consort, the imperial consort, the ordinary imperial concubines and ladies in waiting all have the same design. [The types of east pearls are used as follows]: the imperial consorts have second-class pearls, the concubines the third, and the nobility the fourth. The earrings used for the consort of the imperial heir apparent are the same, with pearls of the second class.

(Translated and transcribed by Lisa Claypool, Ed., China’s Imperial Modern: The Painter’s Craft, Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta Museums, 2012, p. 103; Modified by Isabel Pi-fen Chueh)

On the reverse of the piece "(16)" is handwritten in pencil on the upper right corner.