A FAMILLE-ROSE ‘MAGU’ DISH, ENGRAVED JOHANNEUM MARK N=183-I, YONGZHENG PERIOD
Lot 160 - FAS1025

China, 1723-1735. Elegantly potted, the gently curved sides rising from a short straight foot to an everted rim, the interior finely painted with the goddess Magu in flowing robes holding a lingzhi in her right hand, accompanied by a boy attendant hoisting a large peach in a basket over his shoulder and a deer with a peach sprig, overhanging prunus branches above, the rim border with floral sprays, all enameled in delicate pastel shades, the rim lined in café-au-lait. The foot ring pierced with two apertures for mounting.

Provenance: Ex-collection Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. A private collection in New Hampshire, United Kingdom, acquired before 1930 and thence by descent over five generations. Lyon & Turnbull, London, United Kingdom, 5 November 2021, lot 229, sold for GBP 40,000 or approx. EUR 59,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). A private collector, acquired form the above. The base with the wheel-etched Johanneum mark ‘N:183-I’ and an old label.
Condition: Magnificent condition with only minor wear and firing irregularities, including minuscule pitting, a few dark spots, and tiny glaze recesses. Minor nicks to the foot and minuscule enamel flakes are present. Overall, the piece presents superbly and must be considered extremely rare in such well-preserved condition.

Weight: 1,945 g
Dimensions: Diameter 43.7 cm

Expert’s note: The inventory record for this piece is dated 1779 and reads 'Fifty differing dishes painted with pagods, stags, trees, and flowers. The largest is 6.4 cm deep, 45.7 cm in diam. No. 183'. According to the inventory records in Dresden, dishes of this type were acquired in 1727. After Augustus’ death in 1733, the porcelain was packed away in the cellars of the unfinished ‘Japanisches Palais’. The term ‘Johanneum’ was taken from the name of the building in Dresden to which the royal collection was moved in 1875-76.

The so-called Johanneum mark on this dish was used for porcelains from the collection of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony (1670-1733). Porcelains from the old Collection, an inventory of which was started in 1721, bear these engraved marks, which were colored black, of numbers and letters corresponding to the particular class of porcelain, i.e., an H written sideways (as seen on the present dish), denoting 'green Chinese'. It is believed that the presence of the Johanneum mark indicates that the piece entered the collection prior to the death of King Augustus in 1733.

The design shows the goddess Magu, who is associated with immortality and longevity, on her way to the famous peach banquet of Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the West). Xiwangmu rules over the garden of the Peaches of Longevity. Once every 3000 years peaches ripen and Xiwangmu invites all the Immortals to a banquet so they can continue to enjoy eternal life. On this dish Magu holds a lingzhi, and is accompanied by a stag with a peach in its mouth, because deer are thought to have the ability to find lingzhi. A boy carries peaches in a basket, while the blossoming prunus tree represents youth and longevity. The sprays of peonies and magnolias on the rim symbolize desires for wealth and high rank.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related famille-rose ‘Magu’ dish, Yongzheng period, 44 cm diameter, currently in the Dresden Porcelain Collection, also with a Johanneum mark N=183-I, museum inventory number PO 6223.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 17 March 2021, lot 282
Price: USD 47,880 or approx. EUR 50,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A famille-rose ‘Magu’ dish, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period
Expert remark: Compare closely related form, enameled decoration, Magu motif, and Johanneum mark. Note the much smaller size (38.8 cm) and the partially faded enamels.

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