Auction Information

Description

Doucai craftsmanship is a porcelain decoration technique that combines underglaze blue and white with overglaze colors (red, yellow, green, blue, purple). It is named after the competition of colors, and the craftsmanship is complex, resulting from secondary kiln baking. The Yongzheng Doucai artifacts spared no expense in craftsmanship, from the layout of patterns to the coordination of colors, as well as the level of neatness in filling colors, all of which were at the highest level in the Qing Dynasty. The quantity was rare and exclusively used by the royal family. There is a saying among the people that "ten pieces of blue and white are not as good as one piece of pink, and ten pieces of pink are not as good as one piece of Doucai.". During the reign of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, a phoenix adorned peony colored tray with intertwined branches and flowers, with a diameter of 21.3cm at the opening and 14cm at the bottom. Tianjin Cultural Relics Company's inventory, Alex Cooper Auction Company's overseas return of high-quality official kilns. The colorful plate depicts a phoenix crossing through five peonies, representing the blooming of five flowers and the five blessings of happiness, health, prosperity, longevity, and wisdom. Three phoenixes surround the peony grove outside the plate. 3 is an auspicious number in traditional Chinese culture, representing unity, harmony, and perfection. The official kiln design at the bottom of the plate is made in the year of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, with a lacquer seal and the label of Alex Cooper Auction Company affixed. The overall decorative color is rich and dazzling, but it is bright and not vulgar. The glaze is smooth, elegant and delicate, soft and noble. When viewed from the side, it presents the colorful clam treasure light, reflecting the top aesthetic taste of Emperor Yongzheng. The phoenix wearing peony is a traditional Chinese auspicious pattern, symbolizing prosperity and eternal glory, reflecting the sanctity and authority of imperial power, and expressing the rulers' expectations for national prosperity and people's happiness. The phoenix is a legendary divine bird and the king of all birds. It is regarded as a symbol of luck, power, and auspiciousness, bringing peace and harmony, representing noble, benevolent, and auspicious qualities. It is the auspicious bird in people's hearts and a symbol of peace in the world. Legend has it that in times of peace and prosperity, a phoenix will fly over; Peony is the king of flowers, noble and elegant. It is a royal garden flower, symbolizing wealth, auspiciousness, and happiness; The combination of the two symbolizes the prosperity and glory of all things and implies beauty, brightness, auspiciousness and happiness.