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Rare Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist ‘Lingzhi’ Nyoi (Sceptre)
Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
sold SA1128000
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2021
Browse dealers 35 items
Id #SA1128000
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Rare Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist ‘Lingzhi’ Nyoi (Sceptre)

19th century
Sold 15 July 2025 · Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
This “Rare Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist ‘Lingzhi’ Nyoi (Sceptre)” found a buyer.

It was listed by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Fine Japanese Edo (mid-19thC) Buddhist ‘lingzhi’ nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) or ceremonial sceptre, with a traditional long handle and a head fashioned like a fist, cloud, or lingzhi mushroom. It has been worked into a root, its shape reminiscent of the lingzhi (or reishi), a fungus or dark mushroom that grows on trees in East Asia. Ca 38.5cm long x 9.5cm x 6cm, weight ca 105g.

Excellent original condition with traces of an old repair.

Nyoi/ruyi are constructed from diverse materials, for example the Palace Museum in Beijing has nearly 3,000 ruyi variously made of gold, silver, iron, bamboo, wood, ivory, coral, rhinoceros horn, lacquer, crystal, jade and precious gems. The Lingzhi fungus has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries to promote health and longevity. It's also known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’ and is believed to treat the heart, reduce stress and inflammation, and bring good luck. It’s extremely rare in its natural form, with only two or three out of 10,000 aged trees having lingzhi growth.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Wood Nyoi Sceptre to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
6cm (2.36")
Width
38.5cm (15.16")
Depth
9.5cm (3.74")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1128000
Dealers Internal Reference
AD1142
Description
Fine Japanese Edo (mid-19thC) Buddhist ‘lingzhi’ nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) or ceremonial sceptre, with a traditional long handle and a head fashioned like a fist, cloud, or lingzhi mushroom.
“
It has been worked into a root, its shape reminiscent of the lingzhi (or reishi), a fungus or dark mushroom that grows on trees in East Asia.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Ca 38.5cm long x 9.5cm x 6cm, weight ca 105g.

fig 1. An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel.
fig 1. Rare Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist ‘Lingzhi’ Nyoi (Sceptre)

Excellent original condition with traces of an old repair.

Nyoi/ruyi are constructed from diverse materials, for example the Palace Museum in Beijing has nearly 3,000 ruyi variously made of gold, silver, iron, bamboo, wood, ivory, coral, rhinoceros horn, lacquer, crystal, jade and precious gems. The Lingzhi fungus has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries to promote health and longevity. It's also known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’ and is believed to treat the heart, reduce stress and inflammation, and bring good luck. It’s extremely rare in its natural form, with only two or three out of 10,000 aged trees having lingzhi growth.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Japanese Wood Nyoi Sceptre to the 19th Century.

Height
6cm (2.36")
Width
38.5cm (15.16")
Depth
9.5cm (3.74")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1128000
Dealers Internal Ref
AD1142
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2021
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art Profile Page

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An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Rare Japanese Edo (Mid-19thc) Buddhist ‘Lingzhi’ Nyoi (Sceptre)

Archive II An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View II
Archive III An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View III
Archive IV An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View IV
Archive V An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View V
Archive VI An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View VI
Archive VII An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View VII
Archive VIII An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View VIII
Archive IX An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07975 614592
Location
Bath
Somerset
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2021
Items For Sale 35
Items Sold 783
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Verified Since Oct 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2021
For Sale
35
Sold
783
An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel.
Rare Japanese Edo (mid-19thC) Buddhist ‘Lingzhi’ Nyoi (Sceptre)
Ref: SA1128000
An intricately carved natural wood nyoi sceptre with an attached orange silk tassel.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectCeremonial Object
  • Period19th century
  • StyleJapanese Traditional
  • Material[Wood, Silk]
  • ColourBrown
  • MotifsLingzhi fungus form, Natural burl wood, Knotted silk tassel
  • SizeH 6 cm (2 in) x W 38.5 cm (15 in) x D 9.5 cm (4 in)

A Nyoi is a ceremonial sceptre used in Buddhist practice, traditionally held by high-ranking monks during rituals and lectures as a symbol of authority and spiritual power.

These sceptres are typically carved from natural burls or hard roots of wood, often mimicking the form of the auspicious Lingzhi fungus, and finished with silk cords and tassels.

Authentication relies on examining the natural patina, tool marks, wood shrinkage, and the type of joinery or cordage used, which should align with 19th-century craftsmanship.

Display the sceptre horizontally on a dedicated stand or mount it within a minimalist cabinet of curiosities to highlight its sculptural form and organic texture.

Keep wooden artefacts away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity levels, occasionally dusting with a soft, dry microfibre cloth without applying liquid polishes.
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