A Chinese bleu-de-Hue porcelain 'Shou and Phoenix' bowl. China for Vietnam, early 18th century. Vietnam: late 'The Revival Lê dynasty' (Vietnamese: Nhà Lê trung hưng), 1533-1789, 茹黎中興; Lê Dụ Tông Emperor (1705-1729, 黎裕宗) period. China: early Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1661-1722, 康熙) period. Early 18th century examples of Chinese porcelain for Vietnamese court are very difficult to find, what makes this item really unique. Finely painted with Chinese 壽 (Shou) character within a double circle in the center, followed by three Phoenixes with spread wings on the border. Inscribed to the base with underglaze blue Kangxi 'double fish' mark in the double circle. Later engraved single character mark under the Shou symbol, probably name of the previous owner. Top edge protected with a brass rim typical for Bleu-de-Hue porcelain. The design depicting a Phoenix means the bowl was made for a Vietnamase royal lady. References (last pictures): 1. Set of Bleu-de-Hue plates to include three with same Phoenix design, two with 'double fish' mark, offered by a major European auction house specialized in Asian Art. 2. Pair of same examples offered in Australia, with wrong description (as Chinese). Daylight and UV pictures included. Dimensions: diameter - 17,1 cm; height - 3,4 cm. Weight - 275 g. Provenance: private collection, Belgium. Conditions report: excellent condition, no damages. No cracks, no hairlines, no chips, no restorations. Some use-related wear and scratches to the glaze. Scratches and red marks to the base, most probably red is rust from the iron hanging system used to expose the dish on the wall. Minor firing faults, mostly to the base. UV- and strong white light tested. Check pictures for details. Bleu de Hue is a type of Chinese porcelain made for Vietnamese court known for its intricate designs and distinct blue color. It's called after 'Hue', 19th-century capital of Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), last rulers in Vietnam. The history of this porcelain dates back to the early 18th century when kings of the Le-Trinh dynasty ordered porcelain from China. Each ruler ordered ceramics of his own taste for use in his court, as well as presentation pieces to give to members of royal families and mandarin officials. Bleu de hue ware designs were done by Vietnamese artists, but produced mostly in Jingdezhen, later also in other kilns in China. Domestic versions were also produced in Vietnam during the Minh Mang (1820-41) and Thieu Tri (1841-47) reigns, but they were not very popular. In the mid 19th century, metal rims became popular on bleu de hue wares to protect the rim from damages. Despite the popularity of these porcelains, the production of bleu de hue declined and finished in the early 20th century. Today bleu de hue porcelain is highly sought after by collectors. Its intricate designs and historical significance have made it a prized possession for many, and it continues to be admired for its beauty and elegance. Shòu (壽) is the Chinese word/character for "longevity". It's usually found on textiles, furniture, ceramics, and jewelry. The ideograph may appear alone or surrounded by flowers, bats, or other good luck symbols, but it will always hold a central position. Longevity is commonly recognized as one of the Five Blessings (wǔfú 五福 – longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, a peaceful death). The Chinese Phoenix, (feng huang, 凤凰) was the sacred bird of Chinese mythology, second of Four Super Natural Creatures. The Phoenix is believed to be the king of all birds and also a symbol of good fortune. It symbolizes the sun, fertility, abundant harvest, good luck and longevity. It's a messenger of the Daoist Immortals. During the Ming and Qing dynasties the Phoenix was adopted as the symbol for the Empress, while the dragon was a symbol of the Emperor. Worldwide delivery with online tracking.