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"The following cut, taken from one of Sir W. Hamilton's fictile vases, and representing Aeneas followed by Ascanius, and carrying off his father Anchises, who holds the sceptre in his right hand, shows its form as worn by kinds." — Anthon, 1891

Aeneas and Ascanius

"The following cut, taken from one of Sir W. Hamilton's fictile vases, and representing Aeneas followed…

"Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." Esther 5:1-2 ASV <p>Illustration of Esther, dressed in the finest robes, approaching the throne of the king. The king reaches out for her. A handmaid holds the train of Esther's robes. A small boy stands next to the king, with a crown on a pillow. The room is richly decorated with curtains and columns.

Esther Approaches the King and is Welcomed

"Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner…

"Pluto throned." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Pluto throned

"Pluto throned." —Bulfinch, 1897

Sceptre from a portrait of Richard II.

Sceptre of Richard II

Sceptre from a portrait of Richard II.

The sceptre with a cross, used since the restoration of the English monarchy.

English Royal Sceptre

The sceptre with a cross, used since the restoration of the English monarchy.

"The royal Sceptre with the Cross is of gold; the handle is plain, and the upper part wreathed; it is in length two feet nine inches, the fleur-de-lis of six leaves; the mound, and the cross above it, are richly embellished with amethysts and diamonds.SCEPTRE. A royal staff; an ensign of sovereignty borne in the hand. It was originally a javelin without a head. Sceptres of the present time are splendidly decorated with jewellery." -Hall, 1862

Sceptre with the Cross

"The royal Sceptre with the Cross is of gold; the handle is plain, and the upper part wreathed; it is…

"The sceptre with the dove is of gold, three feet seven inches long; the circumference of the handle is three inches, and two inches and a quarter at the end of the staff; the pomel is decorated with a fillet of table diamonds and other precious stones; the mound at the top is enriched with a band of rose diamonds; upon the mound is a small cross of Calvary, over which is a dove with its wings expanded, as the emblem of mercy.SCEPTRE. A royal staff; an ensign of sovereignty borne in the hand. It was originally a javelin without a head. Sceptres of the present time are splendidly decorated with jewellery. " -Hall, 1862

Sceptre with the Dove

"The sceptre with the dove is of gold, three feet seven inches long; the circumference of the handle…

An ancient Greek sceptre from Tarentum.

Ancient Greek sceptre

An ancient Greek sceptre from Tarentum.

Gold and crystal sceptres from Mycan&aelig;.

Mycanæ:n sceptres

Gold and crystal sceptres from Mycanæ.

"Sceptrum, which originally denoted a simple staff or walking stick, was emblematic of station and authority. In ancient authors the sceptre is represented as belonging more especially to kings, princes, and leaders of tribes: but it is also borne by judges, by heralds, and by priests and seers. The sceptre descended from father to son, and might be committed to any one in order to express the transfer of authority. Those who bore the sceptre swore by it, solemnly taking it in the right hand and raising it towards heaven. The following cut, representing Aeneas followed by Ascanius and carrying off his father Anchises, who holds the sceptre in his right hand, shows its form as worn by kings. The ivory sceptre of the kings of Rome, which descended to the consuls, was surmounted by an eagle." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sceptrum

"Sceptrum, which originally denoted a simple staff or walking stick, was emblematic of station and authority.…

A statue of Siva.

Siva

A statue of Siva.

Statue of vishnu.

Vishnu

Statue of vishnu.

Ruler of Mount Olympus

Zeus

Ruler of Mount Olympus

Ruler of Mount Olympus

Zeus

Ruler of Mount Olympus