Monochrome | Important Chinese Art
Monochrome | Important Chinese Art
A rare and outstanding inscribed gold and silver-inlaid copper 'elephant' ruyi sceptre, 17th century | 十七世紀 鎏金銅錯金銀嵌寶象首如意
Auction Closed
November 2, 04:07 PM GMT
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A rare and outstanding inscribed gold and silver-inlaid copper 'elephant' ruyi sceptre
17th century
十七世紀 鎏金銅錯金銀嵌寶象首如意
the reverse with an eight-character inscription reading De Cui Qianqing, zhaozhao chengxiang (the brightness of the virtues gathered at the Palace of Heavenly Purity is discernible)
銘文：
「德粹乹清，昭昭成象」
Length 31.8 cm, 12½ in.
The present elephant-head ruyi sceptre is unusual for its elegant shape, intricate inlays and inscription, which suggests a link to the Palace of Heavenly Purity in the Forbidden City. An imperial poem about the Palace by the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736-96) starts with phrases similar to the present inscription, praising various virtues and their brightness; see Guochao gongshi [Court History], juan 12, p. 6. See a slightly longer gilt-bronze elephant-head sceptre from the collection of Robert H. Blumenfield, but without inlays, attributed to the 17th to 18th century and sold at Christie's New York, 22nd March 2012, lot 1232.