A white jade-inlaid wood 'elephant' ruyi sceptre, Qing dynasty, 19th century | 清十九世紀 木嵌白玉太平有象萬壽如意

A white jade-inlaid wood 'elephant' ruyi sceptre

Qing dynasty, 19th century

清十九世紀 木嵌白玉太平有象萬壽如意

comprising three jade plaques set into a wood frame forming the head, the mid-shaft ornament and the terminal respectively, the head carved in low relief with an elephant covered with a caparison embroidered with lingzhi motifs, supporting a bao ping ('treasure vase') with an emerging yin-yang symbol, all enclosed by stylised lingzhi motifs and two outstretched bats, the plaque on the arched shaft finely decorated with sprigs of finger-citron fruit and leaves, the terminal with lanceolate leaves enclosing two ripe pomegranates, the bottom edge suspending an inside-painted glass double-gourd snuff bottle converted to a charm hanging from the tasselled cord, depicting two fish below the inscription niannianyouyu ('May you have abundance every year'), the stone of an even pale celadon tone, cushioned stand

54.6 cm