Page 403 - Bonhams Chinese Art London May 2013

The Property of a Gentleman 紳士藏品

368 Y
A fine and rare carved ivory ‘peach’ ruyi sceptre
18th century
The exceptionally elegant sceptre formed as a peach
branch, with the single shaft-like branch issuing smaller
twisted branches with leaves lightly stained green, the
branches laden with seven peaches and six opening buds
lightly stained pink, the head of the sceptre attached with
a gilt hinge and formed as a single large peach carved with
a lobed cartouche enclosing a view of a pavilion on the
mythical island of Penglai amid waves, the peach hollowed
to form a box with the cover on the underside carved with
leaves and a single delicate bat forming the catch.
34cm (13 3/8in) long
£12,000 - 18,000
HK$140,000 - 210,000 CNY110,000 - 170,000
十八世紀 象牙雕蓬萊島圖桃形如意
Provenance: acquired from Spink & Son, The Minor Arts of
China III, 1987, no.35
An English private collection
來源：購自Spink & Son，The Minor Arts of China III，1987
年，編號35
英國私人收藏

Detail
The elegant shaping with the structure of the ruyi head
attached with a gilt hinge forming a box, together with the
meticulous carving of the present ruyi is extraordinarily rare
which conveys the high level of craftsmanship in the 18th
century and distinguishes itself from many other sceptres in
the form of plants.
Ruyi translates ‘as you like’, which symbolises the wishes of
good fortune and longevity. The Qianlong Emperor highly
rated ruyi sceptres as auspicious gifts, which the sceptres
were made in various materials including jade, wood,
hardstones, lacquer etc. It is also included in the famous
Guwan tu painting (Pictures of Ancient Playthings) in the
Victoria and Albert Museum (museum number E.59-1911),
showing the Qing Court interest in ruyi sceptres.
See related examples of sceptres in the form of gnarled leafy
branches made in different materials in the Palace Museum,
illustrated by E. Rawski and J. Rawson, China: The Three
Emperors 1662-1795, London, 2005, p.366-369, no.273,275
and 281. Compare also a carved ivory ruyi sceptre sold in
Christie’s New York, 15 September 2009, lot 225.

Fine Chinese Art | 399