A blanc-de-chine figure group of the Laughing Twins, Hehe Erxian

KANGXI

Details

A blanc-de-chine figure group of the Laughing Twins, Hehe Erxian
Kangxi
Depicting two boys each with an arm around the shoulder of the other, turning their faces inwards, each holding a leaf, wearing a loose tunic and trousers above big boots, the hair knotted in three small buns
16 cm. high

Literature

P.J. Donelly, Blanc de Chine, pl. 159-A.

Sale room notice

Please note that the estimate should read NLG 4000-6000

Lot Essay

The laughing twins are the Immortals Hehe Erxian who represent harmony and mirth as well as bestowing blessing on marriages. The word he is the homonym for 'union', while erxian means 'the two holy ones'. They actually represent the two famous poet-monks of the Tang Dynasty, Hanshan and Shide.
Cf. T. Bartholomew, Myths and Rebuses in Chinese Art, 'Motifs on Marriage and Children', for a further discussion of this theme.

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