Red and White Phoenix Fantail Vase

In contrast to the Western symbol of rebirth, the phoenix of Chinese mythology is a messenger of happiness, justice, and graciousness. The king of all birds, the phoenix has the head of a peacock, the body of a swan and the wings of a cockerel, features that come together seamlessly in the gracefully rendered bird on this early 20th-century phoenix tail vase. The design is painted with copper oxide underglaze, an agent that becomes a deep red when fired. Continuing a centuries-long ceramics tradition, this Qing-dynasty vase is a stunning example of red-and-white ware.