late Ming blue and white saucer

Late Ming / Transitional blue and white saucer with a weak silver band that was applied just after firing. It was add status to the saucer.

Painted to the centre with a phoenix by a large flowering peony

The underside is painted with a double circle around a moon mark

Although provincial the colour is very good and the silver band although a weak silver it showed that the piece did have status and well thought after.

The phoenix is a noble bird although on high status pieces it is associated with The Empress it is also the emblem for beauty and peace.

May have been made for the Japanese market