A WHITE JADE-INSET HONGMU RUYI SCEPTER

A WHITE JADE-INSET HONGMU RUYI SCEPTER

THE JADE MING DYNASTY (1368-1644), THE HONGMU SCEPTER 19TH CENTURY

The hongmu scepter is inset with three jade plaques well carved in openwork: the largest depicts an exotic bird in flight against a ground of scrolling peony stems, the central plaque with a pair of butterflies in flight amidst melons and vines, and the smallest plaque with a mythical beast amidst lotus plants. The jade plaques are of warm white tone with some milky-white inclusions.

20 ¼ in. (51.4 cm.) long