964 - Blue-and-white moon bottle (Baoyueping) in the Ming Dynasty style

Blue-and-white moon bottle (Baoyueping) in the Ming Dynasty style China, probably 20th century. Porcelain, painted in underglaze blue. Height approx. 26.8 cm. Body approx. 23 × 21 cm. Six-character Xuande mark of the Ming Dynasty in underglaze blue on the body. Good condition with slight signs of age and wear. The flattened body is decorated on both sides with a phoenix among lotus blossoms and trailing foliage. The neck is flanked by a pair of three-dimensional handles in the shape of ruyi scepers. Particularly appealing is the rare combination of the classic moon bottle shape (baoyueping) with the finely executed phoenix decoration in underglaze blue. In Chinese art, the phoenix is regarded as a symbol of virtue, harmony, and prosperity and is one of the most popular motifs in imperial porcelain art. The Xuande mark refers to the famous Ming dynasty, whose blue-and-white porcelain is regarded as the benchmark for the highest quality in ceramics. This vase was likely made during the late Qing dynasty or at a later date.