Qing Dynasty Red Ground Phoenix & Cloud Bowl From Queen Mother Tu Cung Hoang Thai Hau (Has Qianlong Archaic Seal Mark) - This magnificent bowl rests on a short foot and has deep rounded sides and a slightly flaring rim. The piece is covered on both the exterior and interior with a rich iron red glaze, and is delicately decorated around the exterior with a scrolling phoenix and cloud motif. The interior is left undecorated, and the white base bears the Qianlong period archaic seal mark in blue underglaze. This piece comes from the estate of a Vietnamese Royal Family (the family now lives in the United States, and wishes to remain private), and once belonged to the Queen Mother Tu Cung Hoang Thai Hau (Empress Dowager Doan Huy) who kept the piece in her personal collection before it was passed down. Empress Dowager Doan Huy was the last queen of the Nguyen dynasty, and the mother of Emperor Bao Dai. Upon being named Empress Dowager, Tu Cung immersed herself in Chinese, French, and Vietnamese, learning the etiquette and protocol related to daily life in the Hue Royal court. After the fall of Nguyen Dynasty while her son Emperor Bao Dai went into exile, the Empress remained and devoted herself to preserving the former capital of Hue. She sponsored the restoration of Thai Temple and other war torn mausoleums of Nguyen royals. This is a true modern day treasure, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Vietnamese history. This piece has excellent investment potential, as it is thought by experts around the world and avid collectors that due to the rapid modernization of Vietnam, Vietnamese antiques will within the next ten years be more valuable than Chinese antiques. According to some of the most expert collectors in the world, what used to sell for hundreds are now selling for tens of thousands. Measurements: 5.25" diameter x 3"H.