A fine Imperial yellow-ground silk Throne Cushion Cover. Qing dynasty, 18th century. Photo Sotheby's

finely embroidered in polychrome silks with a central medallion of nine peaches surrounded by cranes in flight amidst wispy two-tone blue clouds, each grasping a bamboo stalk in its beak, the border with rolling and cresting waves centered on pierced rocks and celestial peaks, all on a muted gold ground. Height 50 in., 127 cm; Width 51 in., 129.5 cm. Estimate 70,000-90,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1989.

EXHIBITED: Spink & Son Ltd., The Minor Arts of China IV, London, 1989, p. 111, cat. no. 148.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York. 14 september 2011 www.sothebys.com