Blue-and-White Prunus Vase with Designs of Two Phoenixes and Clouds Made in Wanli's Reign of Ming

This vase is dignified and magnificent in modeling and fluent in lines. Its neck is embellished with blue-and-white banana-leaf designs with clear and distinct veins. The leaves are isolated with small grass designs. Both of the two kinds of leaf designs are upward, which implies "making progress every month"; the shoulder is painted with designs of swastika brocade-ground fruits and flowers within a reserved panel; the belly is painted with two flying phoenixes with spreading wings in blue-and-white colors. In the picture, one phoenix dances in the air with its crown, neck and feathers all presenting the posture of soaring into the sky. Its tail extends freely and floats in the wind. Along with the dance of two phoenixes, the sky is scattered with auspicious cloud designs; precious heavenly treasures like jewels, flames and fruits, are all spread toward waving rivers and seas as well as the misty mountain ridges. The entire painting implies a series of nice implications like "two phoenixes bringing forward good fortune; scattering bliss toward the entire world; making progresses all through the course; and wishing the country peace and prosperity".