Flat blue-and-white plate from the "Phoenix with Prunus Tree" service

The plate features the impressive "Phoenix with Prunus Tree" decoration in the central well. The rim is intricately shaped with 16 curves and divided into eight segments, each adorned with alternating motifs (two Chinese figures with fans, two front-facing phoenixes in flight, and blooming oriental flowers). The elaborate painting on the reverse is unique (von Barsewisch, p. 72). The shape and phoenix decoration are modeled after a Chinese plate from around 1700, which remains part of the Dresden Porcelain Collection in the Zwinger.

Meissen examples of this type are found in significant collections, all bearing the press number "20" and a brown rim:

• Collection Schneider, Schloss Lustheim (in KFS 50/1960, figs. 18, 17ab, text p. 21)
• Collection Syz (cat. no. 145)
• Collection Wark (no. 69)
• Collection Arnhold (no. 224, without a brown rim) = Christie's, November 30, 1970, no. 157
• Collection Rossi (Sotheby’s, March 10, 1999, no. 108) = Collection Reiff, no. 29
• Collection Tate, Bonhams, December 6, 2018, no. 271
• Collection von Barsewisch, op. cit., nos. 102 and 102a (1730–1740, no press number mentioned)
• Collection Hoffmeister, Vol. II, no. 297

In the Krieger Collection (Pietsch 1993, no. 64), there is a plate with the same decoration, brown rim, and marking (but without a press number), which Pietsch dates to 1722–24. In our view, this plate was likely taken from stock for decoration.