A large and finely carved white jade Ruyi sceptre

Qing dynasty, late 18th to early 19th century
The scepter: 14 ¼ in (36 cm) long
The stand: 22 x 6 x 2 ½ in (56 x 15.2 x 6.5 cm)

A large and beautiful ruyi scepter carved out of even white nephrite, forming a gnarled handle with tendrils and leaves that ascend towards the head of the scepter, which is carved in the shape of two finger-citrons or Buddha’s hand, facing each other. The scepter rests on a bed of silk on an old wooden stand probably made out of zitan. The ruyi scepter is fitted with an old tassel.

The scepter in Chinese culture embodies the concept of “according to wish”, and with the finger citrons or Buddha’s hand (fo-shou) here symbolizes the wish for a happy, long life (fu-shou).

Provenance: Private Collection, Colorado (active from the 1960’s to the late 1980’s)

Published: Asiantiques, Chinese Works of Art (2009), cat. no. 38

Ref. 858607

SOLD