An uncommon carving in rosewood of Daoist Immortals. This toggle doubles as an amulet box. The bottom in the form of a tortoise (symbol of long life) drops away to reveal an inner cavity meant to hold relics or blessings from a temple. The box cover elaborately carved with three immortals flanking a central rock grotto or perhaps a tree. The front of the tree shows two monkeys seated side by side. This may be in reference to the sacred peach tree found in the gardens belonging to the Goddess Xi-wang-mu. The sacred peach bears fruit only once every ten thousand years and those that feast on its flesh become immortal. On one occasion the Monkey King Sun broke into the garden and devoured the peach thereby attaining Immortality. The two attendant monkeys stand guard in front of the tree while Shou-xing the God of Longevity stands at the back holding a staff on top of which balances the peach of immortality. 19th c.

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