Set of eight beads, each hand-carved from the kernel of a Chinese ‘gânlan’ fruit which is a very hard material. The beads depict sampans each of which carries eight passengers, most probably the Eight Immortals, mythological Daoist deities. They symbolize Good Fortune. The word sam pan (三板) literally means ‘three planks’ indicating the simple design of this type of boat. A sampan also resembles a silver ingot called ‘Sycee’ (细 丝) symbolizing Official Office or High Rank. The carvings are quite finely executed and date from the latter part of the 20th century. Also attached are a jade sycee (ingot) and a jade tube called cong (琮) which is a ritual object representing the earth. Total length 32 cm. Bead length 3.4 cm. Width 1.7 cm. Height 1.5 cm.