19th century|Well carved as a rocky mountain with pine and wutong trees, on the lower mountain terrace are two bearded sages carrying staves, slightly higher up another gentleman bows to them in greeting, on the highest terrace stands another scholar, the reverse with a waterfall, the stone of even dark-green tone with minor russet inclusions, with elaborately carved wood stand. 34.3cm (13 1/2in) high. (2).|十九世紀 碧玉高士山水山子Mountains were highly regarded by the scholarly elites of Imperial China. Their high peaks and ability to produce water, the life giving element, from the clouds swirling around them, were seen as providing the closest connection with heaven. Images of hermits within mountains appear to have emerged in early China in connection with times of political turmoil, such as the Six Dynasties (AD 420-589). At later times, however, these images became increasingly associated with the scholarly elites and their growing interest of disconnecting from the world of contemporary affairs to find solace in nature, where they could forge their identity as poets, painters and calligraphers. Miniature landscapes shaped as mountains thus became a standard feature decorating the studios of the literati elites. Compare with a similar but slightly smaller green jade mountain, 18th/19th century, which was sold at Christie's New York, 21-22 March 2013, lot 1395.