A LARGE CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'PHOENIX AND PEONY' DISH

KANGXI 1662-1722

The deep sides rising from a tapering foot to a slightly everted rim, painted to the centre with a pair of phoenix perching on rockwork, large peonies blossom around the mythical birds, with two insects in flight above, with a channelled footrim, the base with a paper label for Sydney L Moss Ltd, London, 33cm.

Provenance: from the collection of Sir Raymond Smith KBE (1917-2002) and Lady Smith (1918-1996).

Raymond and Dorothy Smith met in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1939 whilst Raymond was serving as Attaché at the British Embassy liaising with the US on behalf of British Security. They married the following year shortly before returning to the UK. Dorothy then worked for the Ministry of Information in London and Raymond served with the Intelligence Corps in France and various countries in the Far East. After the end of the Second World War, Raymond and Dorothy returned to Venezuela where they made their home. Raymond became a consultant representing various Defence and Aviation companies including British Aerospace, Marconi Plessey and Rolls Royce among others. In 1960, he was awarded the CBE and subsequently in 1967 the KBE for services to British exports. Raymond and Dorothy maintained close ties with the UK and they frequently travelled to London, becoming avid art collectors. Their Old Master and Impressionist works collection included two pieces by Canaletto amongst many other artworks. Their wide-ranging collections, including their collection of Chinese Art, were acquired from the mid 1960s through to the 1980s, principally from Sotheby's and Christie’s in London.