Carved celadon nephrite ornamental plate, China, 19th century Rectangular in shape, rounded at the corners, carved on one side with a fisherman, a peasant, a woodcutter and a scholar at a pavilion window. This scene symbolizes the four noble professions of a hierarchical social class structure typical of ancient China. The figures move through a lakeside landscape, among pines and wutong emerging from rocks and mountains rising towards the clouds. The reverse is flat and undecorated. 16.7 x 12 cm