Hand-carved kernel of a ‘Ganlan’ fruit depicting people on a boat with a cabin, symbolizing the wish to have a smooth sailing. Four bearded scholars, four children and a dog enjoy themselves on board. Two of the men sit at a low table drinking wine, while on the other side a man plays a musical instrument (zither) called Qin, which is one of the ‘Four Scholarly Pursuits’. One boy holds an object which looks like a Ruyi scepter symbolic for ‘May all your wishes be granted’. The dog is a symbol of future Prosperity and the Boys express the wish to have many sons. The carving is not signed and dates from the latter part of the 20th century. Length 3.6 cm. Width 1.5 cm. Height 1.4 cm.