A brown silk ground embroidered dragon robe. Late Qing dynasty. Photo Bonhams

The nine dragons rendered in couched gilt-wrapped threads while the surrounding cloud scrolls and auspicious symbols are defined in satin stitch also appearing in the waves and mountains of the lishui border, the ribboned symbols of the 'Eight Immortals' in the same area embroidered in knotted stitch. 56 1/2in (143.5cm) long. Sold for US$5,250

Bonhams. Asian Works of Art, 21 Dec 2011 California, San Francisco www.bonhams.com