| Object Number | 29-128-643 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Chinese | Buddhist |
| Provenience | China |
| Period | Qing Dynasty |
| Section | Asian |
| Materials | Pearl | Gold |
| Technique | Cameo |
| Iconography | Buddha | Jigong | Daoji | Monk |
| Description | Sommerville: An idol. This is obtained by slipping a leaden intaglio into the shell of the living Anodonta in the rivers of China. Pendant framed in gold. The idol is of monk Jigong (济公). Jigong was also known as Daoji (道濟) and sometimes referred to as "the living Buddha" or "the recluse from the lake". The belief in this figure in the region of the east coast of China, especially Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, was once very popular. See also 17057 for a similar use of a mussel to produce a Buddha image. Chinese, Case LL. |
| Credit Line | Bequest of Maxwell Sommerville, 1904 |
| Other Number | 643 - Sommerville Gem Number |
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