Pair Of Vases—ceramic—indochina—biên Hòa School—c. 1940.

A pair of large ceramic vases whose bodies are richly decorated with a fenghuang or Chinese phoenix, a very important symbol in China associated with the Empress. The mythical bird, a symbol of gentleness and wisdom, holds a ribbon in its beak. It appears to be flying through a cloud-dotted sky, its long tail feathers forming graceful swirls. With its yellow and orange hues, the bird contrasts with the midnight blue of the sky. According to Chinese folklore, its appearance is associated with a period of peace, prosperity, and absolute happiness. 
Friezes with geometric motifs adorn the collar and the base against a sky-blue background.
Work from the Biên Hòa School, located in Dông Nai Province, near Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. This area, with its long tradition of pottery, was home to the Biên Hòa School of Arts and crafts as early as 1903, which combined ancestral techniques with Western influences (Art Nouveau and Art Deco). By the 1920s, the city’s ceramics had gained international recognition.
Our pair of vases dates from the 1940s.
In very good condition.