The inside of this shell has a pearlized surface. The hinge side of the shell is to our left and the open side to our right. Six tiny Buddha figures made of molded pearls have been attached to the surface. The outline of three additional shapes indicates that there were originally nine laughing Buddhas. The outside of the shell is brown and white.
Chinese
Shell with Laughing Buddha Figures,
mid 19th century
Molded pearls in a shell
,
14.6 cm (5 3/4 in.)
Object details
Accession number
U33n29
Primary Creator
Chinese
Full title
Shell with Laughing Buddha Figures
Creation Date
mid 19th century
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Dimensions
14.6 cm (5 3/4 in.)
Display Media
Molded pearls in a shell
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Vatichino
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.