Lot 3146. A fine pair of blue and white 'Phoenix' dishes, seal marks and period of Daoguang (1821-1850); 16.4 and 16.6 cm., 6 1/2  in. Estimate 160,000 — 200,000 HKD. Lot sold 250,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013

each thinly potted, with shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapered foot to a flared rim, finely decorated on the interior with a central medallion enclosing a male and a female phoenix confronting in flight amidst swirling clouds, the two mythical birds distinguished by their curling and serrated tail feathers spreading out within a double-line border, the exterior similarly painted with two phoenix in flight pursuing each other amidst clouds, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 april 2013