Two famille verte figural groups, depicting Hehe Erxian (和合二仙), the Daoist spirits of Harmony and Joy. Their bodies are modelled in undecorated white biscuit porcelain, covered with a clear glaze. They wear loose robes - alternately enamelled in yellow and green - which fall open at the front. One pair appears bald, whilst the other pair has moulded hair; slightly turned towards each other, they are laughing gleefully with their teeth showing. The figure in yellow has his right arm over the shoulder of his twin, whilst holding a lotus stem in his left hand. In one of the groups the figure in green, holds a string of yellow coins on a brown cord. Both Hehe Erxian groups stand on a high pierced rockwork base, enamelled in brown with scattered yellow coins. The underside is smooth and unglazed. They stand on later wooden stands.
Also referred to as the Laughing Twins, Heavenly twins or the Hoho Twins, these popular figures are generally depicted slightly unkempt, with mirthful expressions on their faces. Their personages were inspired by two Tang Dynasty (618-906) hermit monks - the poet Hanshan and his companion is Shide. They were such popular figures, that in 1733 Emperor Yongzheng officially elevated them to saints of harmony and unity. These twins also became the patron deities of Chinese merchants, often represented holding explicit symbols of wealth, such as coins or money boxes. As a duo, they generally personify the spirit of accord and can bestow blessings on marriages. Such figure groups would often be placed on family altars for marriage blessings, wishes for longevity or the desire for good business dealings.
The Laura Collection, Italy has a pair of similar figural groups. The Copeland Collection in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem has a single Hehe Erxian group.
