Collection of Yen Yu-Tang (1880-1958).

Collection of Ching-Zai Yen (Yan Junzhan, 1901-1969), gifted as a wedding preಌsent from the above circa 1920, and thence by descent.

Brightly enameled, the present charger is decorated with a central medallion depicting Magu holding a ruyi scepter accompanied by a female attendant and a stag hauling a cart that holds a wine jar with✱ a lotus leaf cover.

The Daoist female deity Magu is recorded in the Jin dynasty text Shenxian zhuan [Biographies of the divine immortals] and is believed to have lived during the Han dynasty. Commonly known to be the goddess of immortality, Magu is usually seen decorating wares that were meant to signify wishes for longevity. Further portrayed with bats flying in the sky as well as a handsome gnarled pine tree standing atop a rocky hill, the present charger would have been a fitting birthday gift, wishing the recipient a long and prosperꦺous life.

Although similar chargers depicting Magu and attendants are known from the Kangxi period, the present charger is exceptionally rare on account of its elaborate composition and distinctly-painted rockwork in the foreground. Only one other closely related charger of this composition and painting is known: previously in the collection of Henry Lawrence, it was sold at Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 23rd May 2024, lot 1082. For chargers depicting Magu accompanied by an attendant and a spotted stag, with a plain background, see one formerly in the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, sold at Christie's New York, 12th September 2019, lot 734; one sold in these rooms, 18th March 2014, lot 433; and another, from the Yingqingge Collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1st June 2011, lot 3732. See one, depicting Magu with two💎 other female atte𒁃ndants and a stag, with rockwork in the foreground and background, sold at Christie's New York, 15th September 2011, lot 1493.

Yen Yu-Tang, a native of Suzhou, founded the Oriental Engineering Works in Shanghai i♐n 1902. The company quickly became a leading supplier of textile machinery and expanded into textile manufacturing, growing into the largest manufacturer of textile in Suzhou in 1925. His second son, Ching-Zai Yen was one of the founders of Yulon Motors. Historically one of Taiwan's 'big four' automakers, Yulon is now one of the two largest automotive companies in Taiwan.