A fine carved Fine Ruyi sceptre made of light grey and white jade with green and black tones

Description:

China, 18th century
L. 32,7 cm
Lingzhi, bat and chilong finely worked and polished in relief. Old pendant with tassel.
From an old German private collection
The ruyi sceptre (如意, "as you wish") is a ceremonial object of Chinese court culture. Its characteristic shape with a mushroom-shaped head goes back to the lingzhi mushroom, which symbolises longevity and immortality. In the 18th century, under the Qing dynasty, the ruyi experienced a special flowering. Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796) had numerous examples made, mostly from jade, ivory, lacquer or precious wood. Jade played a central role: it was regarded as the epitome of purity and moral perfection. The sceptre was not used as a symbol of power, but as a gift. It was presented to deserving officials, members of the imperial family and foreign envoys. It was thus an expression of favour, loyalty and diplomatic esteem. In Buddhist contexts, it was also used as a meditation and ritual object. In Europe, ruyi sceptres found their way into royal collections in the 18th century. There they were valued as exotic treasures without their original meaning being understood - Slightly chipped, rest. break