A silk embroidered twelve-symbol empress's informal robe. Mid-late 19th century. Images Courtesy of Bonhams

The body and upper sleeves decorated with a celestial landscape, featuring nine dragons in seed stitch on an ivory colored ground amid clouds and bats carrying the eight treasures and eight precious things, shou medallions, with the twelve symbols of imperial authority in orthodox placement, the lishui border in the hurricane wave pattern, with a blue silk lining and gilt metal buttons. 56in (142.2cm) long. Est. $40,000-60,000. .

Bonhams. December 10th, 2012. San Francisco www.bonhams.com