An embroidered gauze vest for the wife of an official, xia pei. Late Qing/Republic period. Photo Bonhams

The black silk gauze ground embroidered in couched gilt threads with dragons, the surrounding decoration of clouds, birds of the twelve civil ranks and the lishui borders all defined in counted stitches of white and colored threads, the applied rank badge worked en suite with a silver pheasant of the fifth civil rank; the vest now altered into a cape with the addition of black summer gauze fabric in a floral pattern to both sides. 39 1/2in (100.5cm) long. Estimate US$ 2,000 - 3,000 (€1,500 - 2,200)

Provenance: purchased in Beijing before 1938

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART, San Francisco, 24 Jun 2014 10:00 - http://www.bonhams.com/