A CHINESE BROWN-GROUND KESI 'NINE DRAGON' ROBE

QING DYNASTY

Finely worked in gold threads with nine dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls over crashing waves and stylised rocks, the central confronting dragon writhing above a large basket of peaches, with crested cranes and bats in flight amidst ruyi-head shaped clouds and precious Daoist and Buddhist objects, the design reserved on a reddish-brown silk ground, all above vivid lishui waves, with yellow silk to the interior, 219cm across, 140cm long.