A Chinese Huangyang wood ruyi wand dating from the 18th century. Dimensions are: 12 1/2 inches tall X 3 inches wide X 2 1/4 inches deep, 31.75 cm X 7.62 cm X 5.72 cm. All measurements are approximate. Condition: Minor abrasions and age wear, but overall good condition. A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission. Provenance: From a private Long Island, New York collection. Notes: Huangyang, or boxwood, is an ideal carving material due to its fine, even texture. A moderately-sized shrub, Huangyang was historically used to render small and ornately carved works of art such as this ruyi wand, rather than full pieces of furniture. The Huangyang shrub is extremely slow growing, with some varieties only reaching 10 centimeters in trunk diameter after 100 years, adding to its rarity and desirability. Its wood is prone to splitting after harvesting, and it can have an irregular grain, both obstacles increasing the difficulty of carving. A true master, however, can create a smooth, fine textured carving with a surface that polishes to a smooth luster.This Huangyang ruyi wand is elaborately carved to resemble a branch, with curling leaves and twigs sprouting from its long shaft. It even features carved divots that mimic knots in the wood. Several kinds of symbolic fruit are represented along the shaft, including tiny pomegranates, a peach, and Buddha's hand fruit. The iconic shape of the ruyi head is created by a carved pair of large Buddha's hand fruit. The fruit are rendered naturalistically; the stippled skin has been laboriously replicated, and the fingers of the fruit twist and bend realistically. This deceptively small and simple piece harbors a wealth of detail, which stands as a testament to the skill put into the piece's manufacture.黃楊木是產自我國南方的一種木料，生長百年，直徑才加粗一尺，其木質柔韌細密，色澤淡黃 無疵，細膩潤澤可與象牙媲美。清代地方官員進貢的木雕如意中，黃楊木如意是必不可少的。而此柄黃楊木如意不僅材質細膩，造型更精巧逼真。如意頭部雕繪佛手，身軀雕有佛手、石榴及壽桃，石榴的吉祥意義主要是祝人多子，所謂「榴開百子」是也。而佛手是佛的表徵之一，佛手之「佛」與「福」諧音，所以「佛手福手」也。石榴多子、佛手多福，再配上寓意長壽之桃，則通稱「三多」，表示祝願家族繁衍、代代康健的意思。這種比喻，充分顯現出民俗吉祥圖案中的智慧之美，強烈而明快。此件作品包漿自然，雕工精美，黃楊木材料尤為珍貴，是為清木雕如意中的珍品，值得收藏及賞玩。Similar examples can be found in the British Museum in London under accession number 2004,0630.2 and in the National Museum of History in Taipei under accession number 100-00054. A similar example was sold by Sotheby's Hong Kong on April 7, 2013, as lot 3164. High resolution photos can be found here.參閱大英博物館館藏，編號 2004,0630.2(fig. 1)；國立歷史博物館館藏清中期黃楊木雕如意，編號100-00054。見蘇富比香港2013年04月拍賣，編號3164。