This Chinese sancai-glazed pottery roof tile featuring a Phoenix. The bird is standing on the curved roof tile with straight legs facing forward. The sancai style glaze is in shades of goldenrod, melon green and accents of deep red and chartreuse. In Ancient China, roof tiles were placed on roof ridges as protectors and guardians of the people inside. The Phoenix is is symbolic of rebirth, beauty, harmony, prosperity, virtue, and the cyclical nature of life. Its imagery has been used in various forms of art, architecture, and literature throughout Chinese history to convey these rich symbolic meanings. This tile base has a repair. Height: Approximately 11" Length: Approximately 8.5" Width at Base: Approximately 4"