Pair Chinese Dragon Phoenix Porcelain Dishes Pewter Rim Hong Kong 6\" For Sale

This is a matched pair of hand-painted porcelain dishes, each 6 inches in diameter, 1 5/8 inches tall, and weighing 17 ounces, set in substantial pewter rim mounts. Both dishes are marked on the reverse \"Japanese Porcelain Ware, Decorated in Hong Kong, A.C.\" within a square cartouche, identifying them as Japanese porcelain blanks hand-decorated by a Hong Kong workshop.

Each dish depicts the celebrated dragon and phoenix motif, one of the most enduring and symbolically rich pairings in Chinese decorative art. A powerful blue-grey five-clawed dragon coils across the center of the dish, rendered with fine scale detail and flanked by stylized red flames and yellow cloud scrolls. Facing the dragon is a vividly plumed phoenix, its long tail feathers sweeping below in bands of green, yellow, and rust-red, with a red-crested head raised to meet the dragon nose to nose. In traditional Chinese symbolism, the dragon represents the emperor and the yang (masculine) principle, while the phoenix represents the empress and the yin (feminine) principle; together, the pair symbolizes the union of emperor and empress, marital harmony, and the balanced prosperity of the empire. This exact pairing was a favorite motif on Chinese Imperial and Imperial-style porcelain, particularly during the late Qing dynasty, and remains one of the most recognizable and collected patterns in Chinese decorative ceramics today.

The border of each dish carries a continuous band of smaller sinuous dragons winding among red flame motifs and yellow cloud scrolls, echoing the central design and framing it in a lively, continuous procession. The pewter rim mounts are smoothly rounded with a deep, bowl-like profile and show an even, lightly brushed patina.

Condition: Excellent condition - porcelain is white with no cracks, chips or damage. Pewter shows some light signs of wear and is mostly smooth and very good condition.

A striking pair for collectors of Chinese porcelain, dragon and phoenix motif pieces, or Hong Kong decorated export ware. Selling as a matched pair adds real display appeal over a single dish alone.