A blue and white porcelain charger with shallow rounded sides and a plain rim. In the centre, within a double ring, a phoenix with a crested head, scaled breast and spread wings flies among peonies and leafy scrolls. The cavetto carries a scroll of large flower heads on leafy stems, and a classic scroll runs round the rim. The blue is soft and greyish, because the charger sat far from the fire in the kiln.
The reverse has a ring of panels, each enclosing a pendant cloud motif. The base is unglazed and warm orange in tone, and there is no mark. There are spots of iron oxide. Our Ming dynasty page gives the background.
This charger has been sold; please ask us about similar pieces.
Learn more: The Ming Dynasty
