Qianlong Meticulously carved in varying levels of relief with a jagged mountainous scene with two Immortals in long, flowing robes attempting to catch a bird, the upper-left corner intricately worked in openwork featuring branches of the wutong tree, the stone of even white colour with a subtle tinge of pale green. 15cm (5 7/8in) long.
清乾隆 白玉「和合二仙」山子
Provenance: a British private collection, acquired circa 1901-1902, and thence by descent
來源： 英國私人收藏，獲得於約1901-1902，並由後人保存迄今
The Hehe Erxian, also known as the 'Two Immortals of Harmony and Union,' are traditionally associated with a long and happy marriage. These Daoist Immortals trace their origins to the Tang dynasty (618–906) poet-monks Hanshan and Shide. By the late Ming dynasty, they were commonly depicted holding a lotus and a box—objects that form a visual pun on the homophones he (harmony) and he (union). In 1733, the Yongzheng Emperor formally decreed that they should be known as the 'Saints of Harmony and Unity.' See a related celadon jade carving of a vase flanked by the Hehe Erxian, Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, the Palace Museum, Beijing (acc.no.故00098325).
See a related pale celadon jade 'Hehe Erxian' boulder, Qianlong, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 9 November 2018, lot 402.
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