This bowl is an example of Peranakan Chinese porcelain or Nyonya ware made from overglaze polychrome enamelled porcelain with gilt edged rim. It carries the reign mark “Da Qing Qianlong nian zhi” which suggests that it could have been manufactured during the reign of Emperor Qianlong from 1736 to 1795. There is a brilliantly coloured phoenix painted on the exterior. Its neck plumage and wing feathers are painted in red, bright yellow, blue and green. Its body is a green shade with patches of black details. Its long tail is coloured in bold strokes of red and yellow. The phoenix is surrounded by bright yellow and red peony blossoms. The phoenix is an auspicious symbol representing beauty, grace, high virtue, the Bride and the Empress. Peonies symbolise spring, love, beauty and good fortune. There is a border pattern decorated with symbols from the eight auspicious Buddhist emblems such as the Wheel of Law and the Unending knot. These represent all manner of good wishes. The base of the bowl is decorated with patterns of key frets.
