Grand Vestibule: The British Monarchy and the World
The Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle reflects interaction between the monarchy and the wider world
Ruyi sceptre and stand
reign of Qianlong, 1736-95RCIN 70708
The ruyi with arched shaft, probably of carved wood, encased in gold foil decorated with repoussé floral scrollwork. Set in an oval central panel, a plaque of bright green jadeite carved with Buddha's hand citron, the large turned-over head of 'cloud-collar' shape holding a similar round plaque carved with peaches, and at the enlarged bottom end, set crossways, an oval plaque carved with pomegranate. On top of the shaft between are eight small settings for further inlays of auspicious emblems, of which only two, in the form of a lotus bloom in carved coral and a fish in white jade, remain. The underside of the gilded shaft engraved with floral scrolls and its edges with key-fret, with sprays of hibiscus on the head. Correspondingly shaped, the low, flat stand composed of layers of card covered in patterned yellow and red silk.
Text adapted from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume III.