- 1097
A RARE PAIR OF CLOISONNE ENAMEL AND GILT-METAL RUYI SCEPTRES QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
Description
Catalogue Note
This very fine pair of cloisonné ruyi scepters rank among the finest produced during the Qianlong period in this medium and only a handful of similar scepters have been offered on the market, see for example one sold in these rooms, 31 October 1995, lot 667, and a related example of similar size but with a slightly larger cloisonné handle and terminal sold in Christie’s London, 8 June 1992, lot 210.
Cloisonne ruyi scepters seem to appear first during the 17th century and quite a number of examples can be found in institutions and collections around the world, see for example three scepters in the Uldry Collection, illustrated by Brinker and Lutz in Chinesisches Cloisonné – Die Sammlung Pierre Uldry, Zurich, 1985, pl. 163-165. 17th century scepters, such as the Uldry ones, have typically simple tapered stems with pointed terminals and the protuberances along the stem at the handle and terminal are typical of the later scepters, as discussed by Sir Harry Garner in Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, London 1962, p.92.
During the 18th century and particularly under the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, the practice of giving scepters as birthday presents for the Emperor must, if once can judge from the large number of scepters that have survived in various media including jade, lacquer, porcelain and cloisonné enamel, have been very popular.