A FINE WHITE JADE RUYI SCEPTRE QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

the large ruyi-shaped terminal carved in relief with two bats flanking a central shou character below a hanging jade stone and wan, the slender elegantly arched shaft carved with scrolled geometric motifs near the terminal, pierced at the end for threading a tassel, the translucent stone of an even white to pale celadon tone with icy-white inclusions

This sceptre is in good condition, but does have a very small nick to the right hand edge of the underside of 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. 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."

Finely finished to a smooth and highly tactile polish, this piece is notable for the delicate low-relief decoration that is limited to the ruyi-head and shaft-end. Such restrained decoration draws attention to and enhances the quality and translucency of the stone. Ruyi sceptres were rarely made in jade prior to the 18th century given the scarcity of large boulders, and only became available in larger quantities after the Western campaigns, which subjugated the Dzungars and secured control over the area of Khotan and Yarkand, in present day Xinjiang. Jade boulders from these areas were brought to the court, where the best specimens were selected to be carved by artisans working in the Palace Workshop, in the jade workshops of Suzhou or in those belonging to the Huai and Changlu administrations.

A white jade ruyi sceptre similarly carved on the head with bats and a shou character in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Masterpieces of Chinese Ju-I Sceptres in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1974, cat. no. 4; one from the De An Tang collection, included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 20, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th May 2007, lot 1598; and a larger example, from the collections of His Highness Maharaja Sir Padma Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana and the Princess Rama Malla, was sold in these rooms, 15th May 2013, lot 5.