Imperial Yellow Ground 'Twelve Symbols' Dragon Robe, Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Photo courtesy Waddington's

The rich yellow satin ground delicately embroidered with fine thread to depict a group of nine five-clawed dragons each grasping a flaming pearl along the front and back, the ferocious beasts flying amid scrolling clouds completed in green and blue alongside auspicious symbols such as bats and pomegranates and with a combination of Buddhist and Daoist emblems interspersed between and continuing into the crashing waves that decorate the lower portion of the robe above the lishui band, also present along the sleeves; the interior with a pale peach lining patterned with designs of sinuous dragons and phoenixes together, height 53.5" - 136 cm. Sleeve extension and sleeve collar missing; some minor fraying to edges but otherwise in good condition. Estimated Price: CAD40,000 - CAD60,000

Provenance: Reputedly from the estate of Dr. Zhang En Hong, personal physician to Emperor Puyi from 1942-1967. Thence by descent within the family. Two items from this collection were sold at Christie's Hong Kong December 1, 2010: lot 3180A, A Very Rare Cloisonné Enamel Three-Tiered Scholar's Box, and lot 3201, A Large Famille Verte Coral Ground Bowl, Jiaqing Mark and Period (1796-1820).

Asian Art Auction. Waddington's. Platinum House. June 10, 2013, 6:00 PM EST. Toronto, ON, Canada