A BAMBOO-ROOT CARVING OF ONE OF THE HEHE TWINS QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

the youth, probably intended to represent one of the hehe er xian, vividly carved standing with his head turned to the right, dressed in a loose robe fastened at the waist with a ribbon, his amused face smiling with a gentle expression, wearing earrings and two bracelets, his tonsured scalp surrounded by finely detailed hairs, clutching in his hands a branch of leafy lotus extending on his left shoulder, the bamboo root richly patinated to a golden-brown colour with an amber glow, on a dark wood base carved as a rocky outcrop

Collection of Ann Cohen (prior to 1975).

The overall condition is very good with light surface wear consistent with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Bamboo carvings of figures are rare and the present example is amongst the finest from the late Ming and early Qing periods known in this medium. From the various attributes, such as the large lotus flower, the leaf cloak and the joyful smiling expression on its face, it is most likely to be the figure of one of the Hehe er xian or 'the Immortals of Harmony and Union' twins. The Hehe twins are often identified as the priests Han Shan and Shide, the former a monk poet of the Tang dynasty who, after retiring, led a reclusive existence on Mount Tiantai in Zhejiang province.  It was at the Guoqing monastery that he met Shide, a younger monk who worked in the kitchen and scullery. The two became good friends and together enjoyed reciting poems while working in the monastery and helping the poor in the neighbouring villages. Always depicted joyful and smiling, the two monks came to represent a blessed union and were believed to preside over happy marriages. 

For bamboo figures of the Hehe er xian, see a group carving by Zhu Xiaosong of the late Ming dynasty, illustrated in The Palace Museum Collection of Elite Carvings, Beijing, 2004, pl. 9; one of the two twins, from the collection of Mr. Huo Pao-tsai, published in Ip Yee and Laurence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Hong Kong, 1982, part II,  pl. 97.