8.8 cm (length) × 7.2 cm (width) × 4.6 cm (height) × 12.0 cm (width, including the base)
“Ivory Miniature Landscape Decorated with Figures” is one of the surviving masterpieces made by Huang Zhenxiao, a renowned ivory craftsman in the Qing imperial court. Carved from a single piece of ivory, the artwork presents a miniature landscape teeming with life, enclosed under a protective glass lacquer cover in the Japanese maki-e style. The artwork composition includes towering mountains, rippling waters, dense foliage, and swaying reeds, complemented by bridges, boats, and pavilions. Among this idyllic scenery, 34 figures are depicted engaging in leisurely pursuits such as boating, fishing, tea brewing, and sightseeing, creating a serene and harmonious atmosphere.
On the back of the mountain, an inscription in black-filled regular script reads: “Respectfully crafted by the humble servant Huang Zhenxiao during the Flower Month of the Jiwei Year (Qianlong era).” The “Flower Month” refers to the second lunar month of 1739, the fourth year of Qianlong’s reign. Huang was among the skilled ivory artisans sent to Beijing in 1737 by Zheng Wusai, the administrator of the Canton Customs. Of all known surviving 18th-century ivory works bearing artisans’ signatures, Huang’s name appears most frequently, with six identified pieces, making his creations exceptionally rare and valuable. This work showcases his exceptional craftsmanship, transforming a traditional landscape painting into a three-dimensional microcosm, inviting viewers to lose themselves in its intricacies.