Bowl with phoenix motif, one of a pair

With a decorative scheme following the same principles as the bowl seen in (cat. no. 578), this design places a phoenix-medallion on the interior bottom and five more on the exterior. Because of the symbolic association of the phoenix with women, bowls decorated with this motif were made for noble ladies. The drawing technique, very different from that of the earlier period, used both lines and more solid coloring. Whether because of the color application or the painting skill, these works lack the evenness and refinement that Kangxi underglaze-red obtained.