Ruyi Scepter with Qi Dragon and Bats
Artist/Culture
Chinese
Datelate 19th–early 20th century
Mediumpale green jadeite
Dimensions33 x 10 cm (13 x 3 15/16 in.)
ClassificationsJades
Credit LineGift of John and Maria Dirlam
Terms
Object number1999.440
DescriptionPale green jadeiteLabel Text2006-03-04: Ruyi Scepter with Qi Dragon and Bats Jadeite; late 19th - early 20th century Gift of John and Maria Dirlam, 1999.440 The figure represents a scholar holding a scepter shaped like the fungus of immortality, lingzhi. Ancient iron scepters were used to "point the way" and "guard against the unexpected." In the late 16th century ruyi scepters (made of wood, bamboo, ivory, horn, iron, silver, gold, rock crystal or jade) became symbols of worldly, moral or spiritual authority. Since "ruyi" could be interpreted as "May you have…," the gift of a lingzhi-style ruyi scepters implied the wish that the recipient would be granted immortality. Qianlong (r. 1736-95) and succeeding Qing dynasty emperors awarded jade ruyi scepters for meritorious service, as well as to visiting dignitaries. The exhibited lingzhi-style ruyi scepter is decorated with two bats (fu) hovering over rain-clouds that emerge out of the mouth of a qi-dragon. It expresses wishes for a long life with "double happiness (fu), vast to the heavens" (shuang fu; hong fu qi tian).
On View
On viewCurrent Location
- Exhibition Location Gallery 112
Chinese
early 18th century, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
