Description

A Pair of Chinese famille verte laughing twins ‘HeHe Erxian’ biscuit group, Kangxi (1662-1722), the two boys with jovial expressions and seated upon an openwork rock-base studded with coins, the left-hand figure wearing brightly enamelled yellow robes and holding a Buddha-hand citron and lotus stem in his right hand, a coin-box in his right; the right-hand figure with his arm stretched around the other, wearing brightly enamelled green robes.

Height: 14.5 cm. (5.75 inches.)

Condition: Excellent with no damage or repairs observed.

A similar pair of twins are illustrated in Sargent, William R., The Copeland Collection, The Peabody Museum of Salem, pp. 70-71.

Pairs of laughing twins refer to the Daoist spirits of Harmony and Joy (Hehe Erxian), the patron deities of Chinese merchants. The twins are often depicted alongside Cai Shen, the god of wealth, or overt symbols of wealth such as coins or money boxes, as seen here. Such figures would often be placed on family altars either to bring about the healthy birth of many sons or to ensure good business dealings.