Modern porcelain vase of a shape called ‘Meiping’ which literally means ‘Plum vase’ as it was traditionally used to display branches of plum flowers. It is tall, with a narrow base spreading gracefully into a wide body, followed by a sharply-rounded shoulder, a short and narrow neck, and a small opening. This one was presented to us in 1985 and it dates from the last quarter of the 20th century. The heavily potted vase is decorated, completely by hand, with flying Phoenixes and Peony flowers. Phoenixes (feng) dallying with Peonies (fuguihua) form a pun ‘May there be Wealth, Rank and Good Fortune’ (fugui jixiang). Pairing the king of birds with the king of flowers, symbolizes great Blessings and Prosperity. The neck of the vase is decorated with four-petaled Osmanthus flowers which represent a wish for Distinguished sons. Stylized Clouds express ‘The Granting Of All Wishes’. On the bottom is a spurious Qianlong period (1735 – 1796) mark.