Lot 3661
  • 3661

A RARE CORAL 'SANDUO' RUYI SCEPTRE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

Estimate
180,000 - 220,000 HKD
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Description

  • coral
the ruyi head carved with two bats depicted hovering over globular peaches borne on gnarled stems, the arched shaft with the other two 'abundances', finger citron and pomegranates, as well as curling leaves, the end with a small aperture skilfully incorporated in the design to thread a tassel

Provenance

A French private collection.

Condition

The fragile ruyi sceptre has been broken and sympathetically restored. The overall structure is mostly intact. There is some overprinting around the carefully restored breaks, including the middle and lower end of the shaft, barely visible with the naked eye. Smaller pieces of the head have been refixed and the restoration is clearly visible on the underside. The restoration includes infilling to the natural pitting.
"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

Coral ruyi sceptres of this large size are rare and only a small number of related examples has been published: one, but carved on the ruyi-head with lingzhi, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Auspicious Ju-I Sceptres of China, Taipei, 1995, cat. no. 45, together with one similarly fashioned with peaches, cat. no. 46; another in the Palace Museum, Beijing, was included in the exhibition The Three Emperors 1662-1795, Royal Academy of Arts, London, cat. no. 281; and a third is published in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series. Works of Decorative Arts I, Beijing, 2004, pl. 252.