Q: What kind of art is miniature carving like?
Mr. Chen: Miniature carving was discovered on oracle bone scripts (turtle shells) the earliest, where ancient people kept account and other records. Until late Song and early Ming Dynasty, miniature carving was spread by painters and highly recognized by the royals. Miniature carving started to decline since late Qing Dynasty and became endangered.

　　　Oracle bone scripts (turtle shells)　　　　　　Oracle bone scripts (turtle shells)

Source of Picture:

　　http://www.wikiwand.com/zh-tw/%E7%94%B2%E9%AA%A8%E6%96%87
　　Huaxia News http://big5.huaxia.com/zhwh/wszs/2012/06/2876511.html