Each modelled standing, detachable cover to the back, decorated with the colours green, yellow, red and black against a turkoise ground. Gilded details. Height bird 52 cm. Height with candle holder 58 cm.
Wear.
From the Estate of a finnish private collector.
The Qing Court Collection in the Palace Museum, Beijing, includes several other examples cloisonne enamel incense burners and candle holders; see Zheng Xinmiao, ed., Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Enamels 3 - Cloisonne Enamel in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Beijing, 2011.
The phoenix represented power sent from the heavens to the Empress. It is a symbol of virtue and grace.