Pair of Chinese Yellow-Ground Dragon & Phoenix Cloisonné-Style Meiping Vases

A striking pair of Chinese porcelain meiping vases, brilliantly enameled in vibrant famille jaune (yellow-ground) palette with high-relief detailing. The surface features alternating five-clawed imperial dragons and phoenix birds, each encased in ruyi-shaped medallions bordered by waves of turquoise blue enamel representing celestial waters.

Executed in raised enamel (molded sgraffito) technique, the design captures the imperial symbolism of yin and yang — dragon (male, Heaven) and phoenix (female, Earth) — signifying harmony and royal virtue. The cobalt lotus blossoms, scrolling tendrils, and auspicious clouds underscore the association with long life and prosperity.

The yellow ground, reserved historically for the emperor, combined with the seal script reign mark below the shoulder, suggests this pair was produced as 20th-century homage to the Kangxi or Qianlong court cloisonné enamel style, likely Republic period (1912-1949)

Form: Meiping (梅瓶)

Motifs: Imperial dragon, phoenix, lotus, ruyi medallions

Ground: Famille jaune with turquoise and cobalt enamels

Mark: Seal script apocryphal Qianlong reign mark

Period: Republic era

Height: approx. 17"

Condition: Excellent preservation with fine craquelure and minor glaze wear consistent with age; bases unglazed.

✨ Hand-enameled imperial yellow & turquoise cloisonné-style glaze

🐉 Dragon & phoenix duality - symbol of cosmic balance

🎨 Raised enamel texture - luminous under natural light

🏺 Pair form ideal for console, altar, or mantel display