Dosho Shibayama (active Japan, 19th century)
Ojime: Blossoming Plum Branch and Tea Utensils, late 19th century
Ivory inlaid with tortoise shell, gold-stone, mother-of-peal and coral, 2.1 cm (13/16 in.)
This is a round Japanese Ojime. The ivory bead is inlaid with tortoise shell, gold stone, mother of pearl, and coral. The decoration depicts blossoming plum branches and tea utensils. There are two holes on opposite sides of the bead, where a thread would go through.
Little Salon
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.