Circassian Seed with micro small hand carved elephants inside

July 7, 2006 11:49am CST
Hello, several years ago I came across a family heirloom (supposedly), and it is a small circassain seed with over 50 micro hand carved elephants that are made of ivory. They are so amazing and I haven't been able to find out anything about them or where they came from. I have taken pictures under a microscope and the carving details are amazing and the string that ran through them which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Can you help me??
1 person likes this
6 responses
• Israel
12 Sep 09
i also have a red bean with 11 microscopic elephants inside i want to sell it and dont know how much it is worth
21 Jun 10
I have one too but my bean contains 14 elephants - did you ever find out their value?
13 Aug 11
I have one too, my bean contains 12 elephant, i have not been able to find out how much its worth, please help!
• United States
11 Mar 12
Hi Years ago I would say twenty years or so I was in a little Chinese gift shop. I bought twenty of them at four cents a piece. The reason I bought them was because a few years before that I paid ten dollars for one. Anyway the story then was it contained a bunch of elephants and you were to empty the bean and pick six and discard the others and to out the top back on which then gave you seven lucky elephants. When I opened each bean each one had different amounts so to be honest they really aren't worth more than three dollars. I just bought ten more for three each to give more out :)
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
12 Sep 11
Sounds interesting. I'll do a research on this and see what this thing is all about. Good luck to everyone here.
• United States
2 Mar 13
We have a pod that contains 96 minute elephants...the Smithsonian said it is from India. This is the first time I have discovered any information about our miniscule elephants. Thank You
14 Apr 13
I have one, but it only contains 1 elephant. My late father brought home after WW2. I didnt realise they came with more in as I have only ever seen the one. As a child it fascinated me. Since he passed away it is one of my treasured possesions.
@mashama (13)
7 Jul 06
That's sounds amasing! This web site might be able to give you a hint. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmar97.htm
8 Jul 06
I sure will! I'm very anxious to discover more info and history on this item. Thanks to all! =)
• Israel
12 Sep 09
i also have a red bean with 11 microscopic elephants inside i want to sell it and dont know how much it is worth
@JosephP (1116)
• Jamaica
11 Sep 11
Who knows where it might have come from. It sounds very interesting though. Good luck.