An Inscribed Silver-Inlaid Iron Ruyi Sceptre Ming Dynasty, Wanli Period, Dated in Accordance with 1610

the long body gently curving from the top to the tip, the quatrefoil head attached to a square-sectioned upper shaft extending to a long lower shaft of pentagonal section, decorated with a beaten silver design with some engraved lines, the front panel of the head with a galloping horse surrounded by stylised flames, inscribed in kaishu with three-characters Tianma lai (‘Evoking a Heavenly Horse’), the horse intricately outlined with engraved lines, the reverse of the head outlined with a coiled dragon within a double line frame, the sides of the upper shaft with a repeated kui dragon design, the back, front, upper and lower borders of the lower shaft and its narrow, flat edges all with modified leiwen design, the front of the lower shaft with panels of Daoist diagrams, framing a poetic inscription in seal script, followed by the name Zhao Nanxing, the reverse of the lower shaft with an upper panel of the sun and moon and a constellation of stars and a lower panel of five characters in ancient script, separated by stylised waves, the reverse inscribed in zhuanshu with a six-character inscription Wanli gengxu qiu zhi (‘Made in autumn of the gengxu year of the Wanli reign’)

T.K.H. Koh, September 2001.

As clearly visible in the catalogue photos, there is surface wear and scratching to the body, losses to the silver inlay and minor oxidisation. The patina is a darker colour in reality.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For another silver-inlaid iron ruyi sceptre, dated in accordance to 1622 in the Tianqi period, and inscribed for the use of Sun Shenxing, see lot 215. As outlined in the footnote, there is a closely related example sharing the same Tianqi date in the Royal Ontario Museum, but the current Wanli period example does not appear to have a recorded counterpart.