An embroidered brown satin dragon robe, jifu, Chinese, mid 19th century, finely worked with nine couched gilt thread dragons, the central dragons front and back with blue eyes, the others with black, the lishui hem borders with delicately worked blossoms scattered among the stripes, the ground with multi-coloured clouds and precious things, finely worked midnight blue satin edging bands, gilt brass baubles to fasten, chest 148cm, 58in

extenders have been shortened and cuffs reset, slight perspiration staining at underarms, embroidery to the faces of the front and back central dragons and shoulder dragons are worn, gilt threads missing on lower body of centre-front dragon. Colours are good and other dragons are generally good . Skirt slits front and back have been tacked closed - could easily be unpicked. Loose and lacking threads on cuff edges. The edging bands are extremely well embroidered with lots of detail. Whiskers missing from lower right front dragon and lower right back dragon. Right side of lining needs re-stitching. Some light staining to pale blue lining.