An Imperial Manchu noblewoman's full length embroidered silk court outer vest, chao gua , late Qing Dynasty , the front and back with a deep midnight blue-black silk ground embroidered in couched gilt-wrapped threads, with five-clawed dragons pursuing a flaming pearl amid flowering plants and cloud scrolls above a lishui border, all defined in brightly hued silk threads, with original brocade borders and coral pink silk lining, approximately 138cm high x 100cm wide Compare with another example illustrated in, Gary Dickenson and Linda Wrigglesworth, Imperial Wardrobe , pl. 163. These garments were worn over the dragon robes on formal state occasions in the presence of the Emperor. Provenance: Collected by a member of the Gillett Family before 1940 then by family descent and then to the current owner.晚清 石青缎绣龙纹朝褂拍品来源：Gillett家族旧藏 generally good, but gold braid on edges loose and detached and other minor wear and fading at the fabric edgesgold braid lacking on left sleevePlease refer to additional images for visual reference to condition