The inner part of the piece has a hexagonal base on which are carved four standing Buddhas looking in the four directions – they stand on a lotus blossom foot. These miniature Buddhas measures only 5/8” high and are carved in superb detail. The outside is a sheath that goes down to the hexagonal base and has a top shaped with the six corners carved in the upturned manner of a temple. This outer sheath is intricately carved on all six sides – one of the wider sides has a carving of a flower and the other wide side has a reticulated geometric design. The four small sides have identical rows of Chinese characters – not translated.

The inside piece and the outer sheath are held together by a tasseled orange silk string. The entire piece when assembled measures 1 ¼” high by 7/8” wide by 3/8” thick. It is in excellent condition with no cracks or chips – and has a nice glowing patina. We date the piece to the late 18th to mid 19th century, Qing dynasty.