Chinese
Scepter (Ruyi), late 18th century
Gilded and chased metal with lapis lazuli plaques, 51 cm (20 1/16 in.)
A Chinese gilded and chased metal scepter with three lapis lazuli inlaid plaques. The top of the scepter is a large, ornately carved, horizontal oval bezel with an inlaid lapis lazuli plaque. The lapis lazuli is carved with clouds, a house, and a water creature. Connected to this plaque by a carved gilded shaft, at the center of the scepter, there is a vertical oval bezel with a lapis lazuli plaque carved with a bird at the top, possibly a crane, holding a branch in its beak. Below the bird is a deer with antlers. Connected by another shaft, the end piece of the scepter is a small horizontal circular bezel that is also filled with a lapis lazuli plaque. It is carved with a bird in the center and flowers surrounding it.
Early Italian Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.