Boys with leaves and boxes

19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 219

Two boys holding a lotus or leaf and a box are popular New Year’s images symbolic of harmony and union. Known as the hehe twins, in reference to the characters for these virtues both of which are read he, this pair is also thought to have been inspired by the legendary Tang dynasty (618–907) Buddhist monks Hanshan and Shide.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Boys with leaves and boxes
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Horn
Dimensions: H. inc. base 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); W. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); D. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification: Horn
Credit Line: Gift of Ellen Barker, 1942
Object Number: 42.90.31, 32a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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