A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE MINIATURE MOUNTAIN, QING DYNASTY China, 1644-1912. Carved to the front with two wayfarers pulling horses over a bridge towards a pavilion located on the top of the rock, below a waterfall cascading down the rocks. The reverse also with a waterfall and a path along the rocks. The translucent stone of a fine celadon tone with patches of russet and creamy white and russet veining, the inclusions skillfully used to enhance the craggy rockwork.

Provenance: From an old English private collection, and thence by descent in the same family.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, a small chip to a lower corner, and little nibbling to exposed areas. The base with a repair to one foot.

Weight: 158.6 g (excl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 8.6 cm (excl. stand) and 11 cm (incl. stand)

With a finely carved, open worked, and fitted stand dating to the same period. (2)

These mountains, boldly and irregularly carved with rocky paths, waterfall, and vegetation, are often inhabited by tiny figures, exemplifying the concept of 'landscape in miniature.' Compact and upright domed boulders depicting scholars or immortals ascending a path were popular during the Qianlong period, as they symbolized the ascending career of the scholar-literati within the civil service. Boulder mountains testify to the jade carvers' tremendous skills and reflect their reverence for the natural qualities of the stone. They were able to carve elaborate and lively tableaus within the confines of the boulder, keeping the silhouette intact while artistically manipulating the natural 'imperfections' of the stone to enhance the design.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 23 March 2018, lot 989
Price: USD 5,625 or approx. EUR 6,200 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small pale greenish-white jade 'mountain', 18^th-19^th century
Expert remark: Compare the similarly carved rockwork and figures as well as the related size (9.2 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Paris, 10 December 2021, lot 698
Price: EUR 5,625 or approx. EUR 6,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A celadon and russet jade boulder, China, Qing dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related color of the jade and skillful use of russet inclusions. Note the size (14 cm).



清代青玉留皮小山子
中國，1644-1912年。山子前面可見兩名旅者將馬拉過一座橋，上方可見一個亭子，下方是瀑布；反面也有瀑布和石徑。青色玉石留皮，巧妙利用赤褐色和乳白色的紋理體現崎嶇的岩石結構。

來源：英國私人老收藏，保存在同一家族至今。
品相：狀況良好，輕微磨損，下角有小磕損。底座的一隻腳已經過修復。

重量：158.6 克 (不含底座)
尺寸：高8.6 厘米 (不含底座) 及 11 厘米 (含底座)

鏤空雕刻的來自同一時期的底座。

玉山子即圓雕山林景觀，分別雕出山林、人物、動物、飛鳥、流水等，層次分明，各具形態，這種山林景觀的雕刻，從取景、佈局，到層次排列都表現和滲透著繪畫的章法，在乾隆時期十分流行，因為它們也象徵著步步高升。玉山子體現了雕師的精湛技藝，也反映了他們對石材自然品質的崇敬，巧妙利用山子原有形狀、紋理以及顔色雕刻出精緻而生動的畫面。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2018年3月23日，lot 989
價格：USD 5,625（相當於今日EUR 6,200）
描述：,十八至十九世紀青白玉山子
專家評論：比較非常相近山石、人物雕刻型態，以及相似的尺寸 (9.2 厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：巴黎佳士得，2021年12月10日，lot 698
價格：EUR 5,625（相當於今日EUR 6,100）
描述：清代青玉留皮山子
專家評論：比較相近的玉石顏色，以及巧妙利用赤褐色的雕刻技巧。請注意尺寸 (14 厘米)。