'MAGU ON WATER' BY GU LUO, DATED 1804 China. Ink and watercolors on silk, with a silk brocade frame. Depicting the goddess Magu standing on a raft, surrounded by peonies and precious objects, dressed in long flowing robes, and adorned with elaborate gold jewelry, a double gourd strapped to her back, holding an oar in her right hand which is tied to the raft, surrounded by crashing waves. A small double gourd is attached to the end of the raft with a string.

Inscriptions: Upper right, dated 'October in Winter of the Year of Jiazi' (corresponding to 1804) and signed, 'Ximei Jushi Gu Luo', one seal 'Gu Luo'

Provenance: British trade.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, little foxing and staining.

Dimensions: Image diameter 25.2 cm, Size incl. mounting 68.6 x 41.2 cm

Gu Luo (1763-1837), also known as Ximei Jushi, was a native of Qiantang (now Hangzhou) in Zhejiang Province. He was a famous painter and noted calligrapher during the second half of the Qing dynasty. Gu was especially praised for his paintings of elegant ladies.

Literature comparison:
Compare a near identical illustration of Magu, by Xiang Kun, dated 1866, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1927,0214,0.1.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4 May 1995, lot 1065
Price: HKD 109,250 or approx. EUR 15,800 converted at the time of writing
Description: Gu Luo (1763-1837), Lady in a snowscape
Expert remark: Note the painting is mounted as a hanging scroll and of larger size (125.1 x 31.5 cm)



顧洛《麻姑行舟水上》，1804年
中國，絹本設色。工筆描繪麻姑行舟水上，舟為樹幹所變。麻姑雲髻高聳，衣著華美，身背葫蘆；麻姑右手執櫓，舟上鋪滿鮮花。線條流暢，設色雅緻。

款識：甲子冬十月望日，西楳居士顧洛寫。
鈴印：顧洛

來源：英國古玩交易。
品相：狀況極好，輕微磨損、褐變與染色。

尺寸：25.2 厘米，總68.6 x 41.2 厘米

顧洛 (1763-1837)，字西楳，浙江錢塘（今杭州）人。擅書畫。畫工人物、山水、人物古雅，山水蒼潤；花卉、翎毛亦見生動。仕女工緻妍麗，尤為著名。

文獻比較：
比較一件非常相近的1866年項焜《麻姑晉斝圖》，收藏於大英博物館，編號1927,0214,0.1。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比， 1995年5月4日，lot 1065
價格：HKD 109,250（相當於今日EUR 15,800）
描述：顧洛《雪中仕女》
專家評論：請注意此圖為掛畫，尺寸較大 (125.1 x 31.5 厘米)。