Porcelain quadrangular vase decorated in the famille... Lot 42

Porcelain quadrangular vase decorated in the famille rose style with phoenixes and birds, China, late 19th century The body and flared neck are continuously decorated with fenghuang, a crane, magpies, pheasants, a peacock, ducks on a pond from which lotuses emerge, geese in millets, an egret, various colorful birds and butterflies. All evolve around a magnolia in bloom and a wutong, pierced rocks from which peonies and chrysanthemums grow. On the collar, the sun in the clouds. The vase is flanked by two molded handles in the shape of a dog's head holding a ring in its mouth. The interior is partially enameled in turquoise blue. Height: 40.8 cm Missing enamel. The phoenix standing next to a wutong greets the morning sun with its song, followed by the other birds. The sun symbolizes yang, or light, promotion and righteousness. The phoenix is considered the emperor of all birds, appearing only in times of peace and prosperity. When he - 鳳 is depicted with the peony or fuguihua - 富貴花, they form the homonym "may wealth, rank and good fortune be yours" or fugue jixiang - 富貴吉祥. The phoenix bantering with the peony also forms the namesake fengxi mudan - 鳳戲牡丹 and fengchuan mudan - 鳳穿牡丹, which together augur "great blessings and prosperity".