Boys with leaves and boxes; Qing dynasty (1644-1911); 19th century; China; Horn; 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); Horn; 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