- 3018
A RARE AND FINELY CARVED BAMBOO 'WUFU' RUYI SCEPTRE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 HKD
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Description
- bamboo (bambuseae)
the head meticulously carved in the organic form of a lingzhi, the slender arched shaft carved with five bats (wufu) soaring with outstretched wings amidst dispersed cloud wisps, the bamboo patinated to a warm ochre colour
Provenance
Spink & Son Ltd., London.
Literature
Ip Yee and Laurence C. S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Part I, Hong Kong, 1978, pl. 117 and colour pl. 35.
Condition
As visible in the catalogue photo, there is an age crack to the tip of the ruyi head. Other minute age cracks and nicks to the ruyi handle. Overall good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Another rare example of a bamboo ruyi sceptre is illustrated by H. L. Huang, The Exquisite Art of Bamboo Carving, Taipei, 2007, pp. 194-5, where the author draws attention to the unusual combination of meticulous carving on one side with the natural section of the bamboo root. The current ruyi sceptre shares this feature. Another closely related bamboo ruyi was sold in our London rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 233.