This large ivory is infused with irrepressible merriment. Bold, sure carving animates the face, lighting up the eyes and lips with infectious laughter. The Buddha holds a pomegranate branch in his left hand. The pomegranate is a Buddhist sign, the fruit representing the essence of the favorable influence existing in the pomegranate tree, a twig of which is sometimes used for sprinkling water. This would symbolize the hope of the family for numerous offspring behaving in a virtuous and filial manner, and rising to fame and glory, though the boys climbing on this laughing Buddha may be more interested in simple fun. In his right hand the Buddha holds a peach, the symbol of longevity, which is also held aloft by one of the boys on his shoulders. The boy on his right shoulder holds a bell called a To, which symbolizes respect and veneration. A large and robust ivory, carved from a fine tusk with markings and striations of a medium gold tone over the entire surface.