By definition ruyi sceptres are highly auspicious objects, favoured for their shape and ornamentation which together represent the propitious expression ‘as you wish’.
Examples in white jade can bring enormous sums. A large sceptre, a gift from Chiang Kai-shek to His Highness Maharaja Sir Padma Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana, was sold by Sotheby’s in London in May 2013 for £866,500.
The example offered in the same rooms from ‘an important Asian private collection’ was smaller in size at 14in (35cm), but was almost as good.