Lot 496. A Han Chinese woman semiformal domestic coat, ao, Late Qing Dynasty. Estimate £2,000 - 4,000 (€2,500 - 5,100). Photo Bonhams.

The cream silk vividly embroidered with eight golden-thread, star-shaped roundels enclosing boys at play, all against a ground sparsely embroidered with domestic scenes, the hems with elaborate, shaped, multiple borders. 91.5cm (36in) long

Property from Mr. and Mrs. C. Lefebvre Collection of Chinese Robes 

Notes: The intricate embroidery and highly auspicious symbolism suggest that this robe may have been worn by the consort of a high-ranking official of Han nationality. The multitude of boys at play within the gilded ruyi-borders underscored the wish for progeny, prosperity and happiness.

For a robe of very similar design, see J. Vorrall, Ruling from the Dragon Throne, Costume of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Berkeley/Toronto, 2002, p.31, fig. 2.7. Another, with elaborate figurative roundels but on a bright blue ground, is illustrated by R.D. Jacobsen, in his Imperial Silks, Ch'ing Textiles in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, vol. I, Minneapolis, 2000, pp. 514-5, no. 215: here, the author notes that 'unofficial robes arranged with medallion designs were considered the most formal'. Comparable Han Chinese woman's jackets, ao, were offered by Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lots 78, 86 and 94.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23541: ASIAN ART, 10:30 BST - LONDON, KNIGHTSBRIDGE