A fine Chinese white jade carving of a phoenix Qianlong 1736-95

A fine Chinese white jade carving of a phoenix Qianlong 1736-95, standing with one leg raised, its head turned and holding a lingzhi spray in its beak, the stone an even colour, together with a modern wood stand, 11cm. (2) Terese Tse Bartholomew in her Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, states that 'The phoenix is the emperor of all birds, and like the qilin, it appears only in times of peace and prosperity. It is believed that the phoenix's appearance in China augers the emergence of an able ruler or the arrival of a great man, for it appeared when Confucius was born. The phoenix is the motif for the empress of China, ornamenting her crown as well as her clothing'.