Can decorative objects increase one’s wealth or bring happiness or longevity?
Yes, the Chinese believe that by wearing auspicious symbols or having objects with these symbols in their homes, their wishes will be granted. That is why almost all Chinese works of art are decorated with symbols with hidden meanings.
The Ruyi (sceptre) is an excellent example of this. Ruyi means ‘as you wish’. During the Qing dynasty (1644–1912 CE), many such wish granting sceptres were made as presents for the emperors, empresses and for courtiers of high rank. They were presented on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. Although the sceptres that are in the shape of sacred fungus (lingzhi) symbolising immortality are themselves auspicious objects, the Chinese further embellished them with auspicious symbols and motifs of blessings. By decoding the symbols on the sceptre, one could understand the occasion for which it was made. Ruyi were created in many mediums such as cast gold or silver, semi precious stones like jade and nephrite, wood and lacquer.
This sceptre has a landscape with Shoulao, the God of longevity with an attendant. He is holding a branch of a peach tree symbolizing longevity. The handle is carved with fungus of immortality, peach tree, bamboo and narcissus representing the phrase “the heavenly immortals bring birthday greetings”. The sceptre has yellow tassels which show that it came originally from the Qing Palace where yellow is the imperial colour. It is encased in a beautiful wooden box.
The Museum has some beautiful examples of such sceptres.
by Manisha Nene, Director (Galleries & Gen Admin)
Manisha Nene has been with CSMVS since 1989 and is responsible for the management of the entire collection and has reorganised the collection storages. She has curated several exhibitions on varied subjects at the Museum and co-curated several galleries in the Museum. Nene also participated in the International Training Programme at the British Museum (2012), and curated an exhibition ‘From Temple to Home — Celebrating Ganesha’ there. She has contributed to entries on textiles, Indian decorative arts and Indian arms in various catalogues and has written for several publications for the Museum. Nene is also the creative advisor for the several educational DVDs produced by the Museum. She is among the core faculty for the Post-Graduate Diploma Programme in Museology and Art Conservation at the Museum.
