Vintage paired plates in white and blue shades in the style of Kangxi porcelain (1662-1722). Porcelain, underglaze painting. Plot: flowers and birds. The plot features a peach tree, chrysanthemum flowers, and bamboo. The reign of Emperor Xuanye, the Manchu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, "a radiant and prosperous reign" marked his era: he suppressed rebellions, patronized art, literature and science. During the Kangxi period, porcelain flourished. The manufacturing technology of blue and white porcelain has its roots in the ceramics of the 14th century of the Ming Dynasty, and it is created by applying patterns with a mixture of cobalt oxide under the glaze. The most high-quality products of the Kangxi period are considered to be bright blue products on a slightly bluish background, covered with white glaze. The blue-and-white color was used both for domestic consumption and for export outside of China.