Qing dynasty (AD 1644-1911)
Length 35 cm
Acquired from another collection

Ru yi(如意) -literally meaning to have as one wishes'--are treasured sceptres that represent a blessing of good fortune.

They are often fashioned of green or blue-green jade, wood or bamboo. This particular work has a wooden core, the entirety of which is coated with reddish-brown carved lacquer. The front side features the ru yi sceptre head along with low-relief carvings of people, pines and rocks, against a backdrop of rectangular spiral patterns. The centre is decorated with the Babaowen(eight treasures) pattern.