Qing Dynasty Small Leaf Red Sandalwood Ruyi Scepter Carved with Eighteen Arhats and Ganoderma Pattern,18-19th Century CE

拍品描述

Dimensions:Total Length 88cm(34.65in),Overall Height 28cm(11.02in),Net Weight 7.53kg,18-19th Century CECondition & Provenance:The entire scepter is carved from one single large timber block,paired with an original matching wood stand with no splits,missing sections or restorations.All multi-layer openwork carvings remain intact;facial features of arhats and swirling ganoderma cloud patterns retain sharp clear details.The wood surface holds thick,mellow aged patina with only minor natural wear from long-term collection,free of wood borers and drying cracks.The four gilded seal script characters "Ji Xiang Ru Yi" carved on the stand are fully preserved with slight natural fading of gold pigment,no later re-gilding.This artifact originates from a private oriental woodwork collector based in Miami,Florida,USA.The collector purchased this large ruyi from an oriental antique gallery in Toronto back in 2010 and preserved it long-term under constant temperature and humidity display.Large Qing sandalwood ruyis carved with figure motifs are extremely scarce across global antique markets.Description:This is a monumental display-sized ruyi scepter crafted during the Qing Dynasty,fully carved from a single premium small leaf red sandalwood log following natural ganoderma branch contours.Both terminals are sculpted into plump ganoderma caps,decorated with pine needles,prayer beads and auspicious swirling cloud patterns with smooth,flowing carving lines.The central shaft of the ruyi adopts elaborate deep multi-layer openwork carving.A full set of eighteen arhats are sculpted among twisting vine branches,each arhat features distinct poses:some play zithers,some debate scriptures,some meditate quietly,others hold Buddhist ritual instruments.Every figure boasts vivid facial expressions,interspersed with pine trees and rockery to create spacious three-dimensional hollowed-out space,representing extremely sophisticated wood carving craftsmanship.It is matched with an integrated wave mountain-shaped stand carved from identical sandalwood material.The front of the stand bears intaglio seal script calligraphy "Ji Xiang Ru Yi" filled with gold pigment,forming an elegant contrast against the deep dark sandalwood tone.Small leaf red sandalwood features tight,dense wood grain covered in fine hair-like texture.The whole piece has developed a thick,rich dark brown oily patina over centuries with soft,restrained premium luster.Ruyi scepters symbolize peace and good fortune within traditional Chinese culture.The eighteen arhat motif carries auspicious meanings of warding off misfortune and calming the mind with Zen philosophy.Large ruyis carved from one solid sandalwood block with complete figure decoration and original matching stand are extraordinarily rare.This piece combines top-tier wood carving craftsmanship,precious rare sandalwood material and traditional Chinese auspicious culture,qualifying as a museum-level heavyweight antique wood artifact.

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