This tea cup saucer carries the reign mark “Xuantong nian zhi” with the Chinese characters for ten at the centre. This suggests that it could have been manufactured during the reign of Emperor Puyi from 1908 to 1911. It has gilt edged chrysanthemum shaped rims and sloping sides. The central decorative motifs consist of a phoenix standing on a moss covered rockery, from which a luxuriant clump of blossoming peonies grow. The phoenix is a mythical long tailed bird that symbolises beauty, grace, high virtue, the bride and the Empress. Peonies represent spring, love and good fortune. These are set against a bright yellow background, which is considered an auspicious colour by the Peranakan Chinese. The colour was associated with festive occasions such as Chinese New Year and the all important 60th birthday celebrations. The motifs are further surrounded by a border of symbols from the Eight auspicious Buddhist Emblems, such as the Unending Knot and the pair of Golden Fish, set against a rose pink background.
