A pair of embroidered silk dragon badges for a horse saddle. Ming dynasty. Photo Bonhams

Each dark blue silk fragment depicting a lively dragon in gilt-wrapped threads chasing a flaming pearl above a lishui border worked in shades of red, green, blue and white within a xiangcai border band in blue and green threads with traces of gilt-thread outlines. 15 1/4 and 15in (38.5 and 38cm) high. Sold for US$3,750