Phoenix among rocks and flowers

16th--early 17th century

Weavers of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) often produced strong graphic designs. The large blocks of color and bright blue tonalities of this bold image correspond with the visual effects achieved in fahua ceramics, as well as with cloisonné. This composition features the mythological phoenix--the so-called king of birds in Chinese culture and a creature said to appear on earth only when righteousness reigns. The phoenix shown with an effulgent tree peony is an image signifying wealth and nobility.