Page 300 - Christies IMportant Chinese Art Sept 26 2020 NYC

PROPERTY FROM THE ANITA BALDWIN COLLECTION
1782
A JADE-INSET CARVED ZITAN RUYI SCEPTER
18TH CENTURY
Each of the three domed jade plaques is carved with figural
scenes of immortals or attendants, the lower plaque also
with a spotted deer, set within a zitan scepter finely carved
around the plaques with lotus scroll incorporating five bats
(wufu) around the largest plaque, and with two striding
chilong along the shaft.
22Ω in. (56.3 cm.) long

$8,000-12,000
PROVENANCE:
Anita Baldwin (1876-1939) Collection, Los Angeles,
California, and thence by descent within the family.
Ruyi scepters were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries,
particularly to be given as gifts on auspicious occasions
such as birthdays. They were made in a wide variety of
materials and were often decorated, as seen on the present
piece, with auspicious emblems. The immortals and the
deer on the jade plaques relay a wish for long life, while
the five bats (wufu) carved on the scepter represent the
Five Blessings (long life, riches, health, love of virtue, and a
natural death).

清十八世紀 紫檀三鑲玉雕仙人圖如意