An unusual embroidered midnight-blue-ground surcoat with crane roundels, gua, late 19th century. Estimate $20,000 – $30,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The midnight-blue satin is embroidered with eight crane roundels interspersed with various auspicious treasures above the terrestrial diagram and lishui stripe, the decoration repeated again on the cuffs. 54 ¾ in. (139 cm.) long x 71 ¾ in. (182.2 cm.) wide

Provenance: Ethno-Textil, Germany, 2005. 

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 17 - 18 September 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza