Lot 3073. A White Jade 'Eight Immortals' Ruyi Sceptre, Qing Dynasty, 18th-19th Century; 39.1 cm., 15 3/8  in. Estimate 1,000,000 — 1,500,000 HKD. Lot sold 2,440,000 HKD (229,706 EUR). Photo Sotheby's.

the head finely carved in low relief with two confronting dragons sinuously forming the ruyi-shaped border, enclosing the seal-script inscription, wanshou wanwanshou ('May you live for thousands of years') along with Shoulao and his attendant greeting Xiwangmu and her attendant floating on lingzhi-shaped clouds towards a balcony, the bottom of the shaft with Zhang Guolao riding his mule on a mountain, the arched shaft decorated in high relief with the remaining seven of the Eight Immortals standing on wispy lingzhi-shaped cloud vapours while holding their respective attributes, the lustrous stone of an even pale celadon tone with faint icy inclusions and russet veining.

Note: Atalisman presented to bestow good fortune, the reference to longevity embodied by the ruyi sceptre is strengthened by the subject of the immortals decorating this piece. A yellow jade ruyisceptre, the shaft similarly carved in the round with immortals on clouds, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong 30th November 2011, lot 3229. See also two sceptres carved in low-relief with immortals in a rocky landscape, one sold in our New York rooms, 18th September 1996, lot 40, and the second, slightly larger in size, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 23rd March 1993, lot 987.

The popularity and production of ruyi sceptres peaked during the Qianlong period, with the emperor ordering court officials to present sceptres at imperial birthdays and New Year celebrations. As a result, sceptres of this type are known in various mediums; similarly carved examples with immortals include a lacquer sceptre sold in our New York rooms 21st and 22nd September 2005, lot 185; and a sandalwood sceptre included in the exhibition Masterpieces of Chinese Ju-I Scepters in the National Palace Museum, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1974, cat. no. 24.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 April 2014