A pair of Chinese famille rose enamelled export porcelain figure groups of seated maidens with spaniels and phoenixes, early Qianlong period, each seated maiden wearing a blue turban, green coat with lotus roundels, pink belt and iron red pantaloons, holding a spaniel beside a phoenix and rocks, on a turquoise and brown washed flat rocky base, heights 21.5cm (fitted with gilt brass candle holders and drip pans, minor faults and restoration). Note: the phoenix, or fenghuang, was the Empress of Birds in Chinese mythology; it signifies beauty, grace, virtue and the unity of yin and yang. A similar pair of figures with detailed discussion is illustrated by William R. Sargent in 'The Copeland Collection: Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures', The Peabody Museum of Salem, 1991, pages 124-127.