Featured INFO ON VINTAGE? HAND PAINTED TRUNK w/JAPANESE INDIAN?? & WRITING

Hi all,
I found this today doing my reg thrift store rounds & immediately bought it - it was only $30.
The painting looks real/hand done & what made me believe it was vintage at the least was that the screws in the back hinges are the old slot screws, not phillips screws - plus the hinges themselves look older.
But I can't remember ever seeing a Japanese or Chinese indian! I know about Samurai's but I don't think I've seen anything with them wearing pants like this - usually a robe? (another reason I liked it)
Can anyone tell me what the writings says - artist's name? And what the different things painted around it mean, if anything?
Finally, is it old/vintage & hand painted, or is it something made to look old?
PS - It measures 27"L x 19"W x 12.5"H
Thanks all - I appreciate any info - even if not old, if its hand painted it's a very cool piece!

 

The mounted archer has a Persian look, but the writing is definitely not Arabic. (I know, Farsi, but uses Arabic characters.) Maybe a theme from Mughal India? Another one for @Any Jewelry

 

Second thought, maybe Mongolian?

 

I'm hoping it's hand painted - it looks/feels like it on the sides, but the top is smooth & I can't feel any ridges; but it probably does have some age to it that wore it down more than the sides?
Hoping Any Jewelry can read the writing on top & give me more info.
Have you ever seen one like it?

 

I'm thinking Mongolian as well.

 

Mongolian Take Out !!

 

NOW I'm thinking of mongolian beef - thanks.

 

my pleasure......

 

It is Chinese. Believe it or not, the Chinese rode horses and were great archers as well. That's how they conquered great parts of Asia.
The horseman is wearing the feathered hat of a Chinese Qing dynasty official. Maybe he is an army officer.
Different ranks had different hats, I don't know which rank this one goes with. They are generally called Mandarin hats.
Apparently the kind of finial and the colour of the stones on the hat were significant for the rank. @Asian Fever probably knows.
Here are some examples:

 

Any Jewelry thanks again! But please tell me what is written on each corner?

 

Or age of trunk?

 

Sorry, no idea, I don't read Chinese. Asian Fever will be able to translate as well.

 

Very nice trunk

 

"Qianlong Palace treasure" .....

 

Empress Dowager Longyu palace treasure .....

 

Emperor Jiaqing personal treasure....

 

So the usual nonsense. Well, he did ask for a translation.

Oh dear, oh dear. Is there more?

 

It seems all emperors in Qing Dynasty kept it as a treasure...LOL...

 

well, one man's treasure, is another man's......

 

lol - maybe it was passed down emperor to emperor?