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Ruyi scepter
Ruyi scepter

Ruyi scepter

Date19th century
Label TextScepters were ceremonial objects and marks of elegance from the late 16th century onwards. Ming period ruyi were often made of wood, naturalistically carved to resemble the lingzhi, a type of fungus believed capable of conferring immortality (see the root scepter in this gallery). Qing emperors had jade and ivory ruyi scepters made as favors for officials. This example has auspicious clouds and bats (conferring blessings) and, given the miniature size, may be decorative in function.
Object number33.1263
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Pure Amusements: Wealth, Leisure, and Culture in Late Imperial China, Dec. 24, 2016 - May 15, 2022.
Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
Dimensions14 1/2 x 2 x 1 1/8 in. (36.83 x 5.08 x 2.86 cm)
MediumNephrite
Ruyi scepter
Chinese
18th century
Object number: 47.163
Photo: Paul Macapia
Chinese
ca. 2000 B.C.
Object number: 33.1887
Chinese
1000-1644
Object number: 33.1262
Chinese
1644-1911
Object number: 33.1269
Japanese
19th century
Object number: 98.47.42
Photo: Paul Macapia
Chinese
13th - 11th century B.C.
Object number: 43.9
Bronze altar (ex-voto)
Chinese
ca. 505
Object number: 50.156
Ceremonial set of carpenter's tools
Japanese
Object number: 34.80
Libation Stick (Aiu: Ikupasut)
Japanese
19th century
Object number: 60.77