A large Chinese porcelain magpie and floral yellow shallow dish, beautifully decorated in Dayazhai style, (a favourite of the Empress Dowager Cixi) with a magpie and various white florals and black foliage on a bright imperial Yellow ground. The rim with three-character mark and larger elaborate oval mark. The base with four-character Yong qing chang chun mark (eternal prosperity and spring). Gilt highlights. Diameter 41.4 cm.