As we previously reported, a Chinese sceptre from the 18th century Quian Long period sold at Hôtel Drouot's sale of Islamic art from Asia and the East on December 16, 2009.
Made from celadon nephrite jade and streaked with rust, the sceptre brought an incredible €123,920.
 Sold for €123,920 |
The final hammer price was remarkably beyond its pre-sale estimate of €60,000-80,000.
One side of its handle bears an inscription including the term "Ruyi", meaning ceremonial sceptre in Chinese Buddhism, or a talisman.
The sceptre is also marked with a distinctive decoration of bats, peaches and lemons - along with an engraving which suggests that it was once a gift from the official Fengan Xu Zhu to the Chinese Emperor.
Another item belonging to a Chinese Emperor also sold for six figures in October, at Bonhams.
An Imperial white jade 'double dragon' seal - once the personal seal of Emperor Guangxu during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 - sold for a massive £305,600, against an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
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Image: Hôtel Drouot
