the ruyi-shaped head carved with a shou character below a wan symbol, enclosed by three stylised lotus sprays and foliage scrolls, all below a bat in flight with wings stretched, the long curved elegant stem finely detailed with a pair of cranes below a pine tree and scrolling clouds, with a keyfret border at the handle, the smooth patina of a warm reddish-orange tone.

Provenance: Water, Pine and Stone Retreat collection.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th October 2010, lot 2195.

Note: The present elegantly formed and finely carved sceptre bears all the characteristics associated with 18th century wood carving in China. The design, carefully planned and executed, is full of auspicious symbolism. The crane (he) and the pine (song) together form the rebus 'songhe changchun' meaning 'may you enjoy a life as long as the pine and crane' conveying the wish for longevity. The lingzhi fungus is another symbol for longevity, while the shou and wan characters together form the saying 'wanshou wujiang' meaning 'may one have long life without boundaries'. The bats represent happiness and good fortune.