A lady's Chaopao 'Piling' collar, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1875, from a lady's formal or state robe, framed with a pair of dragon's in gold thread above waves. 83 cm wide.*for a complete lady's Chaopao in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number: 35.84.4), where it is stated: 'Surviving examples of women's formal court robes are rare: not many were made, as women were not often included in court ceremonies'