A suit of ceremonial armor with helmet, Late Qing dynasty. Photo Bonhams

Including a jacket, paired shoulder guards and underarm gussets, a center flap and a left flap at the lower edge of the jacket, and a wraparound divided skirt resembling chaps, the surfaces of each section mounted with evenly spaced gilt metal studs over dark fabric woven with gilt threads trimmed with black velvet edging, lined with flower-patterned pale blue silk, all with either ties, or gilt metal ball-and-loop buttons for attachment, the shoulder guards attached with gilt metal plates chased with dragons on reticulated scrolling ground; two gilt and silvered circular metal plates for front and back, each bordered with a band of reticulated dragons and clouds; a bow case and a quiver for holding arrows; a tasselled red and blue fabric quiver strap mounted with gilt metal buckles and a hood; a helmet attached with applied dragon pendants, surmounted with an elaborate finial ornamented with fur, feathers, and pearl beads. 77in (196.5cm) width of jacket, 28 (71.2cm) height of jacket, 38in (96.5cm) height of skirt, 20 3/4in (52.7cm) height of helmet excluding feather. Estimate US$ 30,000 - 50,000 (€22,000 - 37,000)

Notes: Examples of Qing dynasty armors and related topic have been illustrated and discussed in a number of books including China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795 Evelyn Rawski and Jessica Rawson (editors), London, Royal Academy of Arts, 2005, fig. 51, pp. 156-157, Imperial Silks: Ch'ing Dynasty Textiles in The Minneapolis Institute of Arts Robert D. Jacobson, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2000, volume I, cat. #136, pp. 344-345, and Chinese Dress from the Qing Dynasty to the Present, Valery Garrett, Tuttle Publishing, Singapore, 2007, fig. 40-43, pp. 27-29.

Compare also to Chinese ceremonial armors, dating from 19th century to early 20th century sold in Bonhams, San Francisco rooms, including 29 June 2009, sale 17321, lot 8124, 13 December 2010, sale 18412, lot 5024, and 17 December 2013, sale 21033, lot 8252.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART, San Francisco, 24 Jun 2014 10:00 - http://www.bonhams.com/