A VERY UNUSUAL LARGE JADEITE EMBELLISHED GILT-BRONZE RUYI SCEPTRE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

comprising three jadeite plaques of greyish white tone cleverly carved utilising the natural bright apple-green inclusions of the stone, the head depicting a rocky landscape with a scholar and attendant looking out from a pavilion, and another scholar walking below, surrounded by a crashing waterfall and pine trees under drifiting clouds above, the middle and terminal plaques decorated with similar landscape scenes depicting boys at play, all set in a gilt-bronze frame ornately carved with blooms on leafy scrolling stems, depicting the beribboned bajixiang emblems on the shaft, the reverse finely and freely incised with large lotus blooms on feathery scrolling leafy stems  

There are small losses to the carving of the jadeite plaques, as visible in the catalogue. The head is slightly loose. Otherwise the piece is generally in very good condition overall. The gilding has been well preserved, apart from minor expected surface wear, concentrated to the edges of the inlaid plaques. The colours are accurately depicted, although the jadeite is slightly less greyish-blue than the illustration suggests. There is an original tassel attached to the bottom of the ruyi, which is unillustrated.
"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."

Ruyi (as you wish) sceptres were presented to the Emperor or other members of the imperial family as auspicious gifts to bring good fortune. The emperor would also commission the making of sceptres to give as gift to his loyal subjects or worthy officals. The Qianlong emperor is said to have been particularly fond of them, and mentions ruyi sceptre in his writings. He even issued an edict 'calling for the observance in the years to come of the presentation of ruyi sceptres by courtiers to the imperial family on the occasion of a birthday or a new year'. (Auspicious Ju-i Sceptres of China, Taipei, 1995, p. 69).

The present sceptre is comparable with a sceptre sold in our New York rooms, 26^th March 1996, lot 59; and another illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Ju-I Sceptres in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1974, pl. 39.