A Chinese embroidered 'xia pei' tabbard with rank badges, 19th century. Photo Bonhams.

Centre front opening, of navy satin, an applied rank badge to the back and front depicting the egret of the sixth civil official, worked in couched gilt threads, the front also worked with two side-facing four-clawed dragons chasing flaming pearls and a front-facing dragon to the back, amongst clouds, bats, flowers and auspicious symbols, above waves and mountains, with a knotted and tasselled silk fringe, 107 x 59cm. Estimate £300 - 500 (€360 - 600)

Provenance: Acquired in China around the time of the First World War, by a Royal Naval Submarine Officer and thence by descent.

Bonhams. BRITISH & EUROPEAN CERAMICS, GLASS & ASIAN ART, INCLUDING THE TATTON HEWETSON COLLECTION PART II. Oxford. 29 Jan 2014 - www.bonhams.com