A PALE CELADON AND RUSSET JADE 'MOUNTAIN' BRUSHREST QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

carved in the form of a jagged mountainscape of rugged overlapping peaks, the craggy surfaces and steep cliffs serving as a lofty backdrop to a thatched pavilion and a tall wutong tree, a scholar in flowing robes walking across a bridge over a small stream nearly, the reverse with a lone pine tree amidst rockwork, the jade an even light celadon color with russet inclusions, fitted wood stand (2)

Purchased in Hong Kong, 1964.

Spirit and Nature: Visions of Independence, Middlebury College, 1990, cat. no. 28.

Robert P. Youngman, The Youngman Collection of Chinese Jades from Neolithic to Qing, Chicago, 2008, pl. 200.

Overall in good condition. The carving has been repolished, and with very minor wear and scattered minor nicks including some to the edges. The color of the stone is very slightly whiter than in the illustration in the printed catalogue.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Functioning as a brushrest, paperweight, and work of art in its own right, this refined carving met the utilitarian needs and aesthetic taste of Ming and Qing dynasty scholar-officials. Jade builders carved as mountains held a range of meanings for their original audiences. They represented miniature idealized landscapes which the owner could contemplate and mentally retreat into whilst in the studio. They also symbolized refuge from the troubles of court life, as well as a scholar's self-reliance and integrity. Thus, these tabletop landscapes were carved in a variety of sizes, with the quality of the stone and the skill of the caver insuring both variety and unique characteristics in each of these treasured scholar's objects.  Compare a slightly larger jade 'mountain' formerly in the Avery Brundage Collection and now in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, obj. no. B60J285, featuring scholars walking amidst a rocky landscape. An inscribed imperial Qianlong period example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2012, lot 4009. See also a 'mountain' brushrest very similiar in form to the present example, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 1st June 2017, lot 5, carved with a dragon and makara emerging from the mountainous peaks.