A JADE AND JADEITE-INSET GILT-BRONZE RUYI SCEPTER QING DYNASTY, LATE 18TH / EARLY 19TH CENTURY

the gilt-bronze sceptre inlaid at the head with a variegated apple-green, white and russet jadeite plaque carved with Shoulao and a deer in a landscape, the shaft cast with the Eight Buddhist Emblems, divided at the center by four jade-inlaid characters reading jixiang ruyi (auspicious ruyi) and terminating in a further jadeite plaque carved with wutong and plantain trees, the sides of the shaft and head cast with feathery scrolling florets, the underside of the sceptre chased with lotus blooms, wood stand (2) 

A New York Private Collection.
Doyle’s New York, 26^th September 2006, lot 1333.

In excellent general condition. The underside of the ruyi head with 4 pairs of small circular apertures. The jadeite panel at the terminal with several small chips to the edges. Several small and shallow chips the edges of the jadeite panel inset at the head.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The history of sceptres dates back to the pre-Tang (518-907) dynasty with origins possibly connected to Buddhism. Originally used as back-scratchers, which are often depicted in the hands of Buddhist holy figures, the ruyi sceptre became a talisman that was presented to bestow good fortune. Its shape changed over time and from the latter half of the Tang dynasty, when there was a temporary decline in Buddhism, Daoist followers adopted it as their auspicious object. From that time onwards, the heart-shaped head was often rendered as a lingzhi fungus, a symbol of longevity. It was during the reign of the Yongzheng emperor (1722-1735), that the auspicious tradition of the ruyi (literally meaning ‘as you wish’) was revived it and became an imperial object. Since the sceptre had no practical function and could take on any shape of form deemed suitable to express good wishes, it was the perfect imperial gift. For a more detailed discussion of the history of this good luck charm see the exhibition catalogue, Auspicious Ju-I Sceptres of China, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1995, pp 86-90.

Compare a similar Qianlong period jadeite embellished gilt-bronze ruyi sceptre, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1328; and another sold in our New York rooms, 26th March 1996, lot 59. The inscription Jixiang ruyi appears on a number of ruyi sceptre of various media, including a jade-inlaid jasper sceptre from the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 28; a hardstone-inlaid gilt-bronze sceptre sold at Christie's New York, 21st March 2002, lot 41; and an embellished jade example sold in our London rooms, 5th June 1981, lot 18. 

The variegated and mottled jadeite used on the present sceptre is typical of jadeite available to the Qing court during the 18th and early 19th century. Compare a Qianlong mark and period jadeite cong-shaped vase of similar quality to the present plaques, illustrated in The All Complete Qianlong: The Aesthetic Tastes of the Qing Emperor Gaozong, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2013, cat. no. II-3.43.