Bowl with dragon and phoenix design,

17th century

Made in imitation on Ming dynasty imperial ware. Relatively large bowl with false seal in blue in a blue circle (太明年製). White ceramic with a crackled glaze. Underglaze blue for pattern of petals and abstract geometric border around base. Bottom of base not glazed except for area of false seal. Over-painted with deep orange enamel and gold for background design on floral motif—background deep orange—motif in gold. Brown/black ink used to create medallion shapes for phoenix pair and dragon (3 each) motifs, and shapes of phoenix (but not dragon). Red and green enamel used for birds, deep orange and deep orange line for dragons, both with gold highlights. Interior with same patterns; at center, underglaze blue and white flowers ringing a white center with a flower design outlined in gold and filled with deep orange.