- Provenance
- Provenance research underway.
- Label
-
This ruyi scepter was presented to the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1736-96) in 1783. The word ruyi literally means "as you wish," and decorative scepters such as this symbolized good wishes. The head of this scepter is decorated with ornaments of turquoise: both bats and peaches are emblems of good fortune and immortality in Chinese lore.
- Published References
-
- Smithsonian Institution. Report of the Secretary, 1938. Washington, 1938-1939. pl. 1.
- Dr. John Alexander Pope, Thomas Lawton, Harold P. Stern. The Freer Gallery of Art. 2 vols., Washington and Tokyo, 1971-1972. cat. 109, vol. 1: p. 176.
- Dr. Berthold Laufer, Parish-Watson Company. The Gold Treasure of the Emperor Chien Lung of China. Chicago and New York. cat. 8, pp. 25, 27.
- Masterpieces of Chinese and Japanese Art: Freer Gallery of Art handbook. Washington, 1976. p. 27.
- Roger Soame Jenyns, William Watson. Chinese Art, The Minor Arts: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Cloisonne, Cantonese enamel, Lacquer, Furniture, Wood. The Universe Library of Antique Art vol. 2 New York. p. 43.
- Joe Dan Lowry, Joe P. Lowry. Turquoise: The World Story of a Fascinating Gemstone. Layton, Utah. p. 56.
- Collection Area(s)
- Chinese Art
- Web Resources
- Google Cultural Institute
- SI Usage Statement
-
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
-
CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
To Download
Chrome users: right click on icon, select "save link as..."
Internet Explorer users: right click on icon, select "save target as..."
Mozilla Firefox users: right click on icon, select "save link as..."
International Image Interoperability Framework
FS-6820_03