A large blue and white porcelain charger with shallow rounded sides and a flat rim. Much of the decoration is reserved in white on a deep blue ground. In the centre, a lobed medallion encloses a phoenix in flight among clouds, its long tail feathers trailing behind. Around it, a ring of lobed panels each holds a spray of flowers. The cavetto carries a band of peony blossoms, some shown full face and some in profile, among leafy scrolls, and the rim is painted in blue on white with a continuous leafy vine.
On the outside, a band of narrow panels round the foot each encloses a cloud motif with a column of dots. The base is unglazed, showing a buff to light brown body with concentric throwing rings inside a broad foot. Our guide to Yuan blue and white porcelain gives more on the period.
Learn more: The Ming Dynasty
