A BLUE-GROUND EMBROIDERED 'NINE DRAGON' ROBE, JIFU QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

elaborately embroidered with nine scaly five-clawed dragons in pursuit of 'flaming pearls' amidst a dense ground of scrolling clouds and beribboned anbaxian above cresting waves and a lishui border, all against a vivid deep blue ground