Chinese
Shell with Laughing Buddha Figures, mid 19th century
Molded pearls in a shell, 14.6 cm (5 3/4 in.)
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.
Vatichino
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.