A 19th Century Famille Rose Porcelain Jar

A late 19th century famille rose porcelain jar of bulbous form, decorated throughout with a pheasant upon a rock with stylised peonies.

The stylised animal framed by rocks, flowers and foliage is a pheasant. In Chinese culture, tradition and iconography, this bird is a well know symbol for good fortune and beauty. Further to this, the pheasant is one of the twelve ‘Imperial Symbols of Sovereignty’, which are an allegorical representation of the universe. In this context, the pheasant stands for literary refinement and scholarly thinking.

Qing Dynasty, Guangxi Period (1875-1908).