Boxwood carving of Shi De (拾得) and Han Shan (寒山), popularly called Hé and Hé and better known as He He Erxian (和合二仙). These ‘Immortals of Harmony (和) and Union (合)’ bestow blessings on marriages. Unusual is the fact that this exceptionally fine detailed carving depicts them playing with an animal close to another Immortal, Liu Hai (刘海), who is one of the most popular Taoist (Daoist) figures and represents Prosperity and Wealth. Liu Hai befriended a three-legged toad which had the fabulous ability to transport its owner to any place in the world. From time to time the toad escaped down a well and Liu Hai could only lure it back with a string of gold coins. But in this particular carving there is no Liu Hai in sight and instead one of the twins is holding a somewhat peculiar looking toad which is focusing on a string of coins held by the other twin. We have never seen a combination of these two subjects which makes this carving rather exceptional. Once upon a time it formed part of an expensive piece of furniture or a bed and it dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). The carving entered our collection from Shanghai in 2008. Height 9.9 cm. Width 4.6 cm. Depth 3.9 cm.