L. 214 cm Condition A FINE EMBROIDERED YELLOW DRAGON BANNER, China, dated 1851 (first year of the Xianfeng period). Silk floss embroidery on plain weave cloth. Of triangular form, finely embroidered in shades of blue and cream silk threads with a five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl amidst lingzhi-head cloud sprays and six bats, all framed by a composite lotus and peony scroll and flames, inscribed on the reverse of the top section: "Xiaozhang cun Guandi miao, Xianfeng yuan nian" (Temple of Guandi, Xiaozhang village, first year of Xianfeng)-Property from a French private collection, acquired at Sotheby's London, 14th May 2014, lot 340-Traces of age