A JADE AND CORAL-INLAID GILT-COPPER FILIGREE RUYI SCEPTER QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

formed from an openwork filigree frame of interlaced gilt-copper rope-twist wires edged with beaded borders, the areas surrounding the inlaid plaques overlaid with butterflies alternating with stylized beaded shou characters, the head inlaid with a jadeite plaque of deep mottled green over a white jade frame, the middle section inlaid with a russet-mottled pale celadon plaque over a jadeite frame, and the end inlaid with a coral plaque over a jadeite frame, the shaft applied with Emblems of the Eight Immortals, accented with blue feathers, a knotted tassel attached to the end, stand, glazed presentation case and cover, wood storage box inscribed fu gui shou nian (6)

Presented as a gift to Mr. Hwang by T. L. Soong (1899-1983), circa 1970.

A similar jade-inlaid scepter is in the collection of the National Palace Museum and illustrated in Auspicious Ju-I Scepters of China, Taipei, 1995, p. 131, no. 58. A late Qing dynasty example was sold at Christie's New York, 15th and 16th September 2011, lot 1438.