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."

A sceptre of similar size and carved on the head with peaches in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 8, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 62; one from the collection of W.D. Ridgeway, was sold in our London rooms, 29th November 1977, lot 269; another from the collection of Sherry and Lawrence Phillips, was sold at Christie's New York, 24th March 2009, lot 53; and a further example was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28th April 1996, lot 6.

The history of sceptres dates back to the pre-Tang era (518-907), with its origins possibly connected to Buddhism. Originally used as back-scratchers, which are often depicted in the hands of Buddhist holy figures, the ruyi sceptre became a talisman that was presented to bestow good fortune. Its shape changed over time and from the latter half of the Tang dynasty, when there was a temporary decline in Buddhism, Daoist followers adopted it as one of their auspicious objects. From that time onwards, the heart-shaped head was often rendered as a lingzhi fungus, a symbol of longevity. It was during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1662-1722), that the auspicious tradition of the ruyi (literally meaning 'as you wish') was revived and became an imperial object. As the sceptre had no practical function and could take on any shape of form deemed suitable to express good wishes, it was the perfect imperial gift. For a more detailed discussion of the history of this good luck charm see the exhibition catalogue Auspicious Ju-I Sceptres of China, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1995, pp. 86-90.