Today I'm going back in time because I'm still blogger brain dead many of you probably missed this the forst time around. This is my first Show and Tell post in September 2007.
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.

So what is with this bean? It is full off....

elephants!!

Yes, inside this bean are ten elephants!

These carved ivory elephants are about the size of the flame on the dime. Are you fascinated like me? Have you ever seen anything like this? I would love to find out more about it.
For more Show and Tell posts go visit
Cindy's Romantic Home. Thanks for stopping by!
EDIT; This was on e-bay. My bean doesn't have an elephant stopper.
Thanks, Cedar!
Magical Seeds From India
The owner of a magical seed will be granted a wish for each elephant contained inside it.
So goes the Hindu legend, anyway! And this tiny little seed comes from the "kunda-mani" which is the famous "good luck tree" of India. The shiny red seeds are often referred to as Circassian seeds, presumably in reference to the legendary beauty of the ancient land of Circassia and are produced by a tropical Asian tree called the red sandalwood. The top of the seed has been carefully removed and a carved elephant stopper put in its place. This elephant carefully guards your wishes inside the seed. There are a varying number of little elephant wishes inside, usually from about 7 to 12, although you will have to use a great deal of imagination to see anything resembling an elephant in the pieces. Seed measures 3/8 inch across and including elephant stopper, stands 1/2 inch tall. A great conversation piece and who knows?......perhaps your good luck awaits you here!