A large Chinese porcelain famille verte charger, Kangxi period, painted to the central reserve with a phoenix in flight above a kylin, inside a border decorated with alternating panels depicting mythical beasts and floral sprays, underglaze blue seal mark (Haoyang) inside a double circle to base, 36cm diameterThe kylin and the phoenix are two of the ‘Four Benevolent Creatures’, both auspicious symbols that feature in an old Chinese saying: ‘When the world was born, the phoenix led all winged animals, the kylin ruled all terrestrial beasts; both the first of these species.’ The appearance of the kylin conveys good wishes, in particular the wish for many children, and the phoenix symbolises longevity and prosperity. The tree peony has been known in China since at least the 9th century BC, and was considered ‘the king of flowers.’ The flower held associations with the imperial family, who as early as the Tang dynasty (618-907) grew it in the palace gardens. It is known as the flower of ‘wealth and honour’, and was traditionally a token of love and exchanged as a farewell gift. Chrysanthemums are associated with longevity and wealth, owing to the name sounding similar to the word ? (‘jiu’), which means ‘long enduring’. Chrysanthemums represent autumn and, like peonies, are mentioned in Chinese literature as early as the 9th century BC.

Two small chips and fritting to rim. Some old chips and nibbles to footrim.