200.
A PAIR OF ‘FAMILLE VERTE’ FIGURES OF BOYS
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, late 17th century
29 cm high each
Provenance: Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, Placido de Sangro (1829-1891) collection.
inv. n. 4144, 4156.
The two figures depict the couple of boys known as the Hehe erxian which literally means “The two spirits of Harmony and Union”, symbolizing happiness and prosperity. For these reasons, the two laughing boys are also regarded as patrons of marriage. They could be considered as a popular version of Hanshan and Shide, the couple of Buddhist monks which exemplify the same concepts.
A similar statuette with a boy is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. n. 32.100.426); see also the pair in the Groninger Museum (inv. 2011.0080).
