Lot 244. An embroidered brown-ground 'dragon' robe, 19th century; 133cm (52 3/8in) long. Estimate £ 5,000-7,000. Sold for £ 10,000 (€ 11,497). Photo Bonhams.

The robe of brown silk finely worked in couched gold threads with nine five-clawed dragons on the front and back panels, one on the underflap, the dragons chasing flaming pearls amidst a ground of multi-coloured clouds interspersed with bats and shou characters, above a hem of cresting waves tossed with the Eight Buddhist Emblems, and the lishui stripe, the collar and cuffs of black silk further embellished with further dragons, clouds and auspicious symbols, the lower sleeves gilt striped. 

Provenance: a British private collection.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015