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A PALE CELADON JADE 'SANDUO' RUYI SCEPTRE QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- jade
the curved shaft carved with three shaped panels enclosing bats in flight amongst fruiting peaches, Buddhist citron and pomegranate forming the sanduo (Three Abundances), the stone of a pale greyish celadon tone, wood stand
Provenance
Collection of P.F. Given-Wilson, England.
Condition
The sceptre is in good condition with the exception of a 2cm., area of shallow polish to the reverse of the shaft near the head, a similar polish to the edge of the lower panel, a tiny nick to the reverse edge of the central panel and two tiny nicks to the edge of the front face of the central panel. It should be noted that the stone is of a slightly more pale celadon tone than the catalogue ilustration would suggest.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This ruyi sceptre is endowed with auspicious meaning through the depiction of the sanduo together with bats. The sanduo is comprised of the peach, finger citron and pomegranate, and symbolise longevity, blessings and many sons respectively. When portrayed with bats the motif represents the wish, ‘May you be blessed with the Three Abundances’.
Sceptres of related form and decoration include one sold in our New York rooms, 6th June 1992, lot 348; another sold at Christie’s London, 12th May 2009, lot 104; and a third, but the shaft ornately carved as a branch with lingzhi and leafy stems, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th April 1996, lot 8. See also a similarly composed spinach-green jade sceptre inlaid with white jade plaques containing the sanduo, with a Jiaqing reign mark and of the period, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1311.
The wood stand is inlaid with a silver plaque reading ‘To P.F. Given-Wilson with the best wishes of the staff agents and friends of the General Accident in the Far East, 21st July 1958’.
Sceptres of related form and decoration include one sold in our New York rooms, 6th June 1992, lot 348; another sold at Christie’s London, 12th May 2009, lot 104; and a third, but the shaft ornately carved as a branch with lingzhi and leafy stems, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th April 1996, lot 8. See also a similarly composed spinach-green jade sceptre inlaid with white jade plaques containing the sanduo, with a Jiaqing reign mark and of the period, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1311.
The wood stand is inlaid with a silver plaque reading ‘To P.F. Given-Wilson with the best wishes of the staff agents and friends of the General Accident in the Far East, 21st July 1958’.