Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Bean

Susie suggested I join "Show and Tell Friday" since my bean is so interesting. I decided to give it a try so will leave this post up another day.

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.To check out all involved in "Show and Tell Friday" go to Kellies Place


This bean has been in a small brown envelope in a drawer in my Mom's secretary for as long as I can remember. I have no idea how old it is or where it came from. All I know is we (my brother and I) have always been fascinated by the bean.

As you can see by the picture it is a very small bean. The little "stem" in the top is made from ivory.
So what is with this bean? It is full of ...
(click to enlarge and see details)

ELEPHANTS!
Yes, inside this very tiny bean are 10 carved ivory elephants. The elephants are about the size of the flame on the dime. That's pretty tiny.
Are you fascinated now? Have you ever seen anything like our bean?

22 comments:

Are We There Yet? said...

That is the coolest little thing I have seen in a long time. I wonder where it came from. Thanks for sharing your little bean!

KT said...

I am completely amazed by that little bean. It reminds me of something I heard once about a penny with a drawer in the side of it. I just did a search though and didn't find anything about it. What a treasure your little bean is.
Katie

Tammy said...

That is awesome...I've never seen anything like it in my life!
:~O

Susie said...

Very cool! You should join in Kelli's show n tell Friday. I haven't ever seen anyone share anything like that.
http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/
The info is on her sidebar and lots of people join in.
xo

Unknown said...

That is VERY tiny. I don't think I have ever seen anything like this. Wow!

nannykim said...

woooo hoooo===that was some amazing item!! It is too bad you don't know the history of the item!

Susan said...

Very interesting!!! And no, I've never seen anything like this.
Susan

LBP said...

That is one of the coolest things I have even seen! So tiny!

Hootin Anni said...

That is absolutely aMAZING!!! I gotta go get hubby to show him. Wow...it's truly ONE WORK OF ART!!!!

Fabulous show n tell

Anonymous said...

I am fascinated and I have never seen anything like that before. How the heck did someone carve those elephants so small....

Anonymous said...

WOW! I bet you and your brother would spend hours with the bean! And yes, I really am fascinated by it!

Cathy said...

How cool! I hope you find out some history on it someday. I've never seen such a thing.

Cathy :)

Susie said...

Hi Jean,
Me again! I'm so glad you decided to join in. I knew everyone would find this a very unique item!
xo

Carole Burant said...

Well isn't that something!! I've never seen anything like it and would never have thought anything could fit inside, it's so tiny! That truly is amazing, Jean!! xox

Anonymous said...

That's amazing. I have never seen anything like it. Very cool!

Muum said...

This is so unusual, I hope you find out where it came from (and tell all of us)

Anonymous said...

What an intriguing and unusual object. A lovely keepsake. sAra from farmingfriends

Amy ~ (Life's Small Treasures) said...

Oh how cute! Such a wonderful prize you have. Thanks for sharing~Amy

Linda Lunda said...

WOW! What a nice litle thing!
Linda

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! That is the neatest thing! It's so tiny!
Kelli

Rose of Sharon said...

That is AWESOME! I love miniatue things! That is fantastic. I can't believe the craftsmanship! Thanks for sharing!

:0) Sharon

Anonymous said...

Those tiny elephants are pretty neat.

I like your banner with the wheelbarrel on its side!