Pair of phoenixes. China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1830-1840

Pair of phoenixes. China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1830-1840.
Brightly colored polychrome porcelain/gres.
The overall condition is good, with natural patina due to the passage of time. There are some small chips in the details of the feathers, but they are subtle and do not detract from the whole.
Measurements: 47 x 17 x 18 cm.

This pair of Chinese figures represent the Chinese fenghuang, the phoenix, traditional symbol of beauty, harmony and immortality.

Under the Qing, inherited art forms flourished and innovations occurred at many levels and in many types. High levels of literacy, a successful publishing industry, thriving cities, and Confucian emphasis on cultivation nurtured a lively and creative set of cultural fields. By the late 19th century, the national artistic and cultural worlds had begun to reconcile with the cosmopolitan culture of the West and Japan. The decision to remain within the old forms or to welcome Western models was now a conscious choice rather than an unquestioning acceptance of tradition. Classically trained Confucian scholars. The Qing emperors were generally skilled in poetry and often skilled in painting, and they offered their patronage to Confucian culture.