CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, EPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795) En forme d'un rocher, elle est entièrement sculptée en relief sur les deux c?tés de pavillons, cascades, arbustes et pins, parcourues par des sentiers sur lesquels cheminent ou s'arrêtent des pêchs, b?cherons, paysans et lettrés. Haut: 19 cm. (7 ? in.) Larg: 20 cm. (7 7/8 in.)
Previously from a French private collection, in the family since the 19th century by repute.
This exquisite large jade mountain is the type of scholar's object that might have graced a table or display cabinet in the imperial palace. During the Qianlong reign, the Emperor requested that jade mountains, as well as plaques and panels with scenes of mountainous landscapes, take their artistic influence from the work of famous painters. Carvings of mountains can be found in a number of different sizes and depicting varied scenes representing idealized landscapes upon which the collector would contemplate. The virtuosity of the carver is demonstrated here with the remarkable depth and use of relief carving to depict the layered mountain and three dimensional scenes. The theme of yuqiao gengdu, the ‘Four Noble Occupations’: the fisherman, woodcutter, farmer and scholar, is one of the most appreciated subjects in the Chinese Wenren culture during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Compare to another finely carved spinach green jade boulder, dated Qianlong period, sold first in Christie’s New York, 20 September 2002, lot 207, then in Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 May 2008, 1602. (fig 1.)