A COBALT BLUE DECORATED CELADON GROUND ‘MAGU AND...

A COBALT BLUE DECORATED CELADON GROUND ‘MAGU AND RAFT’ PORCELAIN BOTTLE VASE, TIANQIUPING
China, Qing Dynasty, Presumably Daoguang period
Of bottle shape with a globular body and a tubular neck, this vase is all covered with a celadon glazed ground against which a decor is depicted in cobalt blue. This décor show the goddess Magu (麻姑), one of the Eight Daoist Immortals, on her raft together with attendants and a deer.
H: 43,7 cm
Notes:
1. Magu is associated with the elixir of life and is a symbolic protector of women in Chinese mythology. Stories in Chinese literaturedescribe Magu as a beautiful young woman with long birdlike fingernails, while early myths associate her with caves. Má gū xiàn shòu (麻姑獻壽), i.e. “Magu gives her birthday greetings” is a popular motif in Chinese art.
2. Compare with a related vase at Christie’s South Kensington London, United Kingdom, 2013/05/15, lot 622 sold for GBP3.500 BP incl.

“麻姑献寿”天球瓶
中国，清代，推测为道光年间