清乾隆 白玉狩獵紋小筆筒

While depictions of scholars or immortals in landscapes are more commonly found on Qing-dynasty jade brush pots, hunting scenes are much more rare. The depiction of horses appears as topical imagery in the arts during the early Qing dynasty among the Manchu rulers, who were themselves descendants of nomadic herdsmen. It is known that Emperor Qianlong, while still a Prince, prided himself on being a keen horseman and was portrayed as such in Court paintings.
See a closely related white jade brush pot decorated with a highly similar hunting scene, in the collection of the Palace Museum of Beijing, under the inventory number gu00096449. See a slightly taller pale celadon jade 'hunting scene' brush pot sold at Christie's London, 15 May 2007, lot 364.