Chinese
Scepter (Ruyi), early 18th century
Jade with silk tassels, 44 cm (17 5/16 in.)
A light green jade scepter with two silk tassels equal in length to each other and to the scepter, and hang from the end of the scepter. The scepter is mounted on a rectangular wooden base with three metal supports holding the scepter flat. When lying on the mount, the scepter has a slight "S" curve like the human spine. The end with the tassels is narrower, and widens at the end where it curls up and over itself to a flat medallion. The scepter is carved with scroll designs. The silk tassels are a burnt-orange attached to the handle by two jade-colored short, triple silk cords. The cords become woven squares that have knots at the end from which the tassels hang.
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.