清十八世紀 白玉福壽如意

the slender curved sceptre elegantly worked on the ruyi-shaped head with a bat in flight above a gnarled leafy branch bearing two large peaches, the arched shaft carved with four seal characters reading Jixiang ruyi ('Auspicious as you wish'), above a leafy spray of narcissus and lingzhi, the stone of an even white colour flecked with caramel-russet

good condition
"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."

《故宮博物院藏品大系．玉器編》，卷8：清，北京，2011年，圖版62載錄了一件與本器無論紋飾、尺寸均相仿的如意。另有數相仿例，一原爲 W.D. Ridgeway 舊藏，售於倫敦蘇富比1977年11月29日，編號269。一例屬 Phillips 伉儷舊藏，售於紐約佳士得2009年3月24日，編號53。另一售於香港佳士得1996年4月28日，編號6。

如意始見於隋唐，應與佛教有關。「如意」一詞出於印度梵語「阿娜律」，古代僧人用作搔癢的用具。《音義指歸》曰： 「如意者，古之爪杖也，或骨角竹木，削作人手指爪，柄可長三尺許。 或脊有癢，手所不到，用以搔抓，如人之意。」晚唐時期，武宗滅佛，如意被道教視爲吉祥之物，自此心形如意頭常被靈芝形代之，成爲長壽之象徵。時至清康熙朝，如意成為宮廷裏皇帝、后妃之玩物，寢殿中、寶座旁處處可見，以示事事如意、如願以償之美意。清朝皇帝選后妃時，以如意為信物，也是皇家萬壽節必備之禮物。《吉祥如意文物特展圖錄》，國立故宮博物院，台北，1995年，頁86-90，對如意有更深入地探討。