Object Description
Chinese early 18the century blue and white double gourd bottle vase made during the reign of the Emperor Kangxi at the kilns at Jingdezhen.
excellent potting and painting to show a flying phoenix amongst clouds to the main part of the body and to the neck leaf shaped pattern.
The phoenix is a compilation of other creatures, the throat of a swallow, the bill of a duck, the neck of a snake, the tail of a fish and peacock, the forehead of a crane, the crown of a Mandarin duck, the stripes of a dragon, and the vaulted back of a tortoise.
In human terms it symbolises the qualities of virtue, duty, correct behaviour and reliability. Although also the bird associated with the Empress on export porcelain it is representing the human qualities and virtues.
This is an export piece