A CARVED CINNABAR LACQUER 'NINE PEACHES AND BAJIXIANG' RUYI SCEPTRE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

finely carved on the ruyi head with nine peaches borne on gnarled leafy branches, above pierced rugged rockwork, two bats and flowering blossoms, the arched shaft decorated with angular scrollwork and the bajixiang emblems decorated with billowing ribbons, interrupted by a central lobed cartouche enclosing three spears (ji) above a vase with a beribboned chime (qing), forming a rebus of 'auspiciousness', further decorated with a ruyi sceptre and a lotus bloom, the terminal point of the sceptre with a further lobed cartouche enclosing two butterflies fluttering amidst gourds and prunus blossoms, all against a dense floral diapered ground, the reverse diapered with wan symbols and key-fret motifs to the head and shaft respectively, the sides detailed with a key-fret band, the end pierced with an aperture to thread a tassel

The ruyi sceptre is in overall good condition with just minute frits to the edges and other minor surface wear. There has been repainting to the border of the design.
"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 examples of cinnabar lacquer carved sceptres see one, from the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Gugong Bowuyuan cang diao qi, Beijing, 1985, pls. 387-8; and one in the Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt am Main, published in Gunhild Gabbert, Ostasiatische Lackkunst, Frankfurt am Main, 1978, pl. 8. See also two sceptres, one from the Sakamoto Gorō collection and the other from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat collection, respectively sold in these rooms, 8th October 2013, lot 173, and 8th October 2009, lot 1811; another sold in our New York rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 106; and a fourth example sold in our London rooms, 12th November 2003, lot 188.

The number and opulence of ruyi sceptres increased during the Qianlong period, when the emperor officially ordered court officials and courtiers to present sceptres at imperial birthdays and New Year celebrations. Sceptres were made in all types of mediums with their design left to the artists' imagination. See ten sceptres included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat. nos. 273-282, which represent the variety of imperial sceptres from the Qing Court collection and presently in the Palace Museum, Beijing.