LONDON.- A circular silk badge of the type worn by a Ming dynasty emperor, discovered by chance during a free valuation day at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, sold for £16,120 on Monday 2nd December.

Known as a kesi or ‘cut silk’, the embroidery was among items taken to a valuation day at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions where it was spotted by specialist Dr. Benedetta Mottino. Its owner had no idea of its significance and was delighted to be told of its estimate £8,000 – 10,000.

From the late 16th or early 17th century, the badge is worked in peacock feather filament and threads of red, blue, green, yellow, beige, white and gold. It would have decorated the front and back of a surcoat belonging to a Ming emperor. A front-facing five-clawed dragon symbolises blessing and strength and is associated with the Son of Heaven, an alternative name for the emperor. The dragon is in pursuit of the flaming pearl of truth, denoting the wearer’s wish to attain inner wisdom. Clouds and mountains, symbols of Imperial sovereignty, further embellish the composition. The Chinese character ‘wan’ meaning eternity, and the homophone meaning longevity, appears at the top of both sides of the badge and suggests that it may have been made to commemorate the emperor’s birthday.

The kesi came from a Surrey home and was purchased by a Chinese collector from Hong Kong bidding on the telephone in the auction at the Berkshire saleroom. [Lot 50].

Dr. Benedetta Mottino, Asian Ceramics and Works of Art specialist said: “Having had a particularly successful sale during the week of Asian Art in London, we are delighted with the results achieved in our sale in Newbury yesterday, in which more affordable objects were offered. To have achieved such good prices is testament to our expansive client base of collectors and the continued efforts of our department to source the finest quality items at all levels.”

Elsewhere in the sale a private collection of 94 fine Netsukes sold for a total of £50,220. Mostly in ivory they portrayed a variety of Japanese mythical figures and animals and are types that are scare and widely sought by collectors.

A 19th century ivory Netsuke of Daikoku, one of Japan’s Seven Gods of Fortune, associated with commerce and prosperity was depicted carrying a mallet also known as a ‘magic money mallet’ and large sack whilst balancing atop a large rice bale. It sold for £1,736. [Lot 183]

Created in 1925, a finely painted portrait of Comrade Mao Tse-Tung was a gift from the Revolutionary Committee of Jingdezhen Art and Porcelain Factory to the Revolutionary Committee of Guangzhou Seafood Production Company. The highly collectable item sold for £6,820 [Lot 75]

A 19th century famille rose porcelain screen amazed bidders in the room and on the telephone by selling for £22,320, more than 100 times its pre-sale estimate. The free standing screen was decorated ornately with figures engaging in various leisurely pursuits amid a river scene. [Lot 99]

Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions will hold four sales of Asian Art and Ceramics sales in 2014. The sales will be held in London in May and November and in Berkshire in March and December.