Page 258 - Christie's Fine Chiense Works of Art November 2018 London

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A WHITE JADE ‘FLORAL’ RUYI SCEPTRE
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The quatrefoil head of the sceptre is carved in shallow relief
with prunus fowers growing from a gnarled branch and a
further fower growing from rocks. The oval mid-section
and the foliate tip of the sceptre are both carved with a
medallion enclosing a fower growing from rocks. The stone
is of a pale tone with some faux-russet highlights.
15¬ in. (39.7 cm.) long
£50,000-80,000 $66,000-100,000
€56,000-89,000
The term ruyi is a homonym for ‘as you wish’, and these
ceremonial sceptres have become synonymous with power
and prestige, featured in imagery associated with deities,
immortals, and nobility. Hence, ruyi sceptres crafted from
precious materials such as jades and prized woods were
given as gifts to the Qing court.
清乾隆 白玉花卉紋如意 (detail)

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