Daoguang Jadeite-Inset Gilt-Bronze Ruyi Sceptre
A jadeite-inset gilt-bronze ruyi, sceptre mark of Daoguang inlaid with three jadeite plaques, each of whitish colour with green suffusions and carved in relief, the largest with a lion mask, the smaller two with deer and lingzhi fungus, the gilt bronze shaft decorated in relief with the an baxian, precious objects, lotus sprays and foliate scrolls, the reverse engraved with pairs of bats in flight over rocks and waves, dragons pursuing flaming pearls, and the bajixiang, all reserved on a finely punched ground, centred with a raised four-character mark in a rectangular cartouche, box 24.80 in. Other Notes: Compare with a hardstone-inset gilt bronze sceptre dated to the 18th century, sold Sotheby's London, 4 November 2009, lot 148
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- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Cartouche - An ornamental panel in the form of of a shield, oval or rectangular scroll with curling edges. It may be carved into the back of a chair or the top of a sideboard, or present on a piece of silver or jewellery, and contain the initials of the original owner, heraldic symbols, or some other inscription, such as the details of a presentation.
In ceramics the term defines the central area of a vase or similar with a decorative border in one of the shapes above, into which a decorative scene or figures have been painted. - Lion Mask - The lion mask has been used for centuries in various forms of art and design, including furniture, silver, and ceramics, and is usually y depicted as a stylized representation of the face of a lion, often with an open mouth and protruding tongue. and is often used as a handle, knob, or other decorative element.
In furniture design, lion masks were popular in the neoclassical and Empire styles of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They were often used as decorative elements on the legs or arms of chairs, as well as on cabinet and drawer pulls. It was also used as a handle, knob, or other decorative element.
In silverware design, lion masks were often applied to tea and coffee pots, as well as on candlesticks, snuff boxes, and other small silver items. The lion mask was often used in combination with other neoclassical motifs, such as laurel wreaths or acanthus leaves, to create a sense of grandeur and classical elegance.
In ceramics, lion masks were often depicted in relief, and were sometimes used in combination with other decorative elements, such as garlands or swags.
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