Live Auction 18823Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
A JADE-INSET CARVED ZITAN RUYI SCEPTER
Lot 1782 PROPERTY FROM THE ANITA BALDWIN COLLECTION

A JADE-INSET CARVED ZITAN RUYI SCEPTER

18TH CENTURY

Closed25 September 2020

Price Realised

USD 10,625

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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.
22 ½ in. (56.3 cm.) long

Anita Baldwin (1876-1939) Collection, Los Angeles, California, and thence by descent within the family.

Specialist note


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).