CHINA, 19th century. Dress in dark blue woven gauze (zhijin) with brown threads of nine five-clawed dragons depicted in front or in profile chasing sacred pearls, surrounded by flowers, fruit, cranes, stylised clouds, bats and auspicious symbols, above a band of lishui and sacred peaks. Midnight-blue gauze border woven with brown threads of dragons in the clouds. Expert : Cabinet PORTIER