QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A FINE BAMBOO CARVING OF AN IMMORTAL
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
The immortal is carved in the round as a crouching boy, with his hands lifting the cover of a circular wicker box to release two bats inside. He is carrying a spray of two peaches around his waist, from which is attached a scroll and tassels.
2 ½ in. (6.5 cm.) high, Japanese wood box

Provenance

Acquired in Japan in 2005

Brought to you by

Sibley Ngai

sngai@christies.com +852 2978 9955

Lot Essay

The current carving is a very auspicious depiction of an immortal holding a box, from which two bats are about to be released, suggesting the immediate presence of good fortune. The immortal is carved as a boy, possibly one part of two well-known fabled characters, Hehe Erxian. A very similar bamboo carving of a boy holding a box is in the Simon Kwan Collection and illustrated in Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, p. 297, no. 75.

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