Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Chinese Export Porcelain Double Boy Figure Group of Hehe Erxian

About the Item

Chinese Export Porcelain famille rose Fire Group Representing the Hehe Erxian. Harmony & Joy, Qianlong period, Circa 1770-80. The Chinese Export porcelain figure group is decorated in the famille rose palette, with two boys seated on pierced rock work, a “three-legged toad” peering out from an opening below. The sculpture depicts two laughing twin boys, representing the Daoist deities of Harmony and Joy, often called "Hehe Erxian" in Chinese; they are typically seen together, seated on a rock, and are considered patron deities of merchants and prosperity, often associated with symbols of wealth like coins or money boxes. Dimension: 8 inches high x 7 1/4 inches wide x 2 1/2 inches deep Reference: An identical group is illustrated by Thomas V. Litzenburg, Jr in Chinese Export Porcelain in the Reeves Center Collection at Washington and Lee University (2003, p. 215, no. 219). The two laughing boys are the Hehe Erxian. They are also known as the “Boy Immortals” and the “Twin Genii of Harmony and Mirth”. The figure to the left is Liu Hai, one of the gods of wealth, who holds aloft a string of “cash”. In the hand of his companion is a box of gold coins. The partially hidden “three-legged toad”, an attribute of Liu Hai, is a symbol of money-making. The Chinese words he is a homonym for a both “box” and “concord”, and Erxian means “the two holy ones”. Personifying prosperity and accord, the Hehe Erxian were venerated as patron deities by Chinese merchants and traders. Originally intended for the domestic market, images of the Hehe Erxian became popular motifs in the export trade and are known in several variations. (Ref: NY10714-umrx)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
  • Style:
    Chinese Export (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1770-1779
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1770-80
  • Condition:
    Excellent condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Downingtown, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: NY10714-umrx)1stDibs: LU861043623812

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Double Cypher Dinner Plate, Dutch Market
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Double Crest Marriage Dinner Plate, Probably the Dutch Market, Circa 1755-60 The attractive Chinese Export crested armorial marriage plate has a central design with shields, each with a different gilt cyphers, flanked by angels blowing horns with above a crown. The inner well with a gilt chain design and the border rim painted with four flower groupings. This type of design was made to celebrate a wedding. Dimensions: 9 inch diameter x 1 inch high Reference: China For the West, David Howard and John Ayers, Volume Two, Page 398, #396, for a plate with shield...
Category

Antique 1750s Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Turquoise Pair of Cats
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Turquoise Pair of Cats, Early 20th Century The porcelain Chinese porcelain cats are a facing pair with a turquoise color ground sitting in as recumbent posi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Bacchus Mug After Derby Porcelain
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain bacchus mug after Derby Porcelain, circa 1785. The Chinese Export porcelain mug is modeled after a Derby Porcelain original as the head of Bacchus, the face naturalistically & delicately enameled. The eyebrows, beard and hair picked out with lightly etched brown lines. Around his head is a garland of vine leaves enameled in green, the veins of the leaves well delineated in grey, the bunches of grapes in a rich purple. The "C" shaped handle is decorated with stylized vine leaves, the sides of the thick handle with gold lappets. Dimensions: 4 inches high Reference This type of mug was copied directly from a Derby original that dates to around 1780-1785 and was created by William Duesbury II (1763-97) when the company was known as William Duesbury & Co. For a similar mug, see Sargent: The Copeland Collection: Chinese & Japanese Ceramic Figures...
Category

Antique 1780s Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Large Armorial Tankard
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Large Armorial Tankard, Circa 1780 The stunning Chinese Export porcelain armorial tankard is circular with a taper towards the foot. There is a coat of arm...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Set of Graduated Famille Rose Tankards
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain set of graduated famille rose mugs or tankards, Circa 1780 The Chinese Export porcelain tankards or mugs are...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Lotus Leaf-Shaped Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Lotus Leaf Shaped Dish, Circa 1765 The large Chinese Export “famille rose” porcelain saucer dish is made in the form of a lotus leaf with the rim and border...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

You May Also Like

A Pair of Tall Chinese Export Porcelain Figural Vases with Birds and Flowers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Pair of Tall Chinese export porcelain figural vases. The ovoid porcelain bodies decorated with colorful flowers, tropical birds, tree...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Chinese Export Porcelain Plate
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a plate from China, it has been made late 19th century, very nice colors, black, brown blue. It is a canton plate.  
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Chinese Export Porcelain Covered Tureen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In the style of Meissen. Quinlong period. 1750. Stand and tureen base with minor restorations. European-inspired scenes. Platter diameter is 14". No cracks. No chips.
Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Mug
Located in London, by appointment only
A Chinese export famille rose tankard having a straw weave replacement handle and decorated with rocks and flowers of bold design. China, circa 1750. Measures: Height 8 in (20 cms).
Category

Antique 1750s Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Hexagonal Plates
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Chinese export armorial octagonal plates, Qianlong period, Ca. 1765 18th century Diameter: 9 Inches Condition: very good with glazing slips and very minor flea bites to e...
Category

Antique 1770s Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Chinese Export Canton Porcelain Plate
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a plate from china, it has been made late 19th century, very nice colors, green, orange blue. It is a canton plate.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Recently Viewed

View All