18TH CENTURY

Ruyi scepters were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly to be given as gifts on auspicious occasions such as birthdays. They were made in a wide variety of materials and were often decorated, as seen on the present piece, with auspicious emblems. The immortals and the deer on the jade plaques relay a wish for long life, while the five bats (wufu) carved on the scepter represent the Five Blessings (long life, riches, health, love of virtue, and a natural death).