Yongzheng The curved sides rising from a tapered foot to an everted rim, the interior finely painted with the Daoist Immortal Magu in flowing robes holding a lingzhi fungus, accompanied by a deer clasping a leafy spray of a peach in its mouth and a boy attendant carrying a basket of peaches over his shoulder, the rim border adorned with flowering sprays of peonies and magnolias, the mouth rim gilded, the base incised with inventory number N:183-I, wood stand. 43.5cm (17 1/8in) diam. (2).
清雍正 粉彩麻姑獻壽圖大盤
Provenance: Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland (engraved Dresden inventory mark on the base of the dish reading N:183 I) An English private collection, acquired prior to 1930
The incised number on the present lot indicates that this plate was in the collection of Augustus the Strong (Augustus II), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland (1670-1733). As an avid art collector, he amassed an extensive collection of porcelain which was housed in the 'Japanese Palace' in Dresden. The inventory record for this piece is dated 1779 and reads 'Fifty differing dishes painted with pagods, stags, trees and flowers. The largest is 2? in. deep, 18? in. in diam. No. 183'.
According to the inventory records at Dresden, dishes of this type were presumably acquired in 1727. See a similar famille rose 'Magu' dish, Yongzheng period, from the same collection and bearing the same inventory number, illustrated in La maladie de porcelaine: East Asian Porcelain from the Collection of Augustus the Strong, Leipzig, 2001, p.78.
The motif depicted in the present lot is 'Magu Celebrating Longevity' (Magu xiansho 麻姑獻壽). The Daoist Immortal Magu, revered as the Goddess of Longevity, is portrayed on her journey to the renowned peach banquet hosted by the Queen Mother of the West who rules over the garden of the peaches of longevity. The scene incorporates many symbols of longevity and Immortality, including the lingzhi fungus, the deer, blossoming prunus, and peaches, all of which underscore the auspicious theme of enduring life and vitality.
See a similar famille rose 'Magu' dish, Yongzheng, which was sold at Sotheby's New York, 17 March 2021, lot 282.
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
