This dish has three bands of designs decorated in red, green and black enamels from the center to the rim. The central medallion features two birds, possibly phoenixes facing a pearl, while separated by two peonies. Surrounding it on the inner wall are images of dragons chasing flaming pearls, blooming flowers and spiral motifs. On its flared rim, there are repeated motifs of spirals and vertical lines.Zhangzhou wares such as this were commonly known as ‘Swatow ware’ due to the erroneous belief that the ware was shipped out from the port of Zhantou (Swatow). These wares were mainly made for export to Japan and Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Chinese ceramics were highly prized in these places and were used extensively by the nobility and the elite as status symbols.
