Scalloped-Rim Dish with Confronted Phoenixes and Floral Stamen

Longquan celadons, admired for their enchanting green glaze, were extremely popular during the twelfth to fourteenth century, and were highly coveted by connoisseurs from China and overseas. During the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), craftsmen at the Longquan kiln started to use a decorative technique where molded reliefs were left unglazed to expose the color and texture of the clay body. The contrast between the unglazed decoration and the lustrous glazed surface accentuates the smoothness and shininess of the glaze, while also bringing attention to the intricate patterns on the appliqués – in the case of this object, two phoenixes elegantly encircling a jewel in the form of a floral stamen.