This black turtle-shell stone is a partially flatten sphere with a network of veins on both the front and back. It is thickest in the middle and tapers towards the rounded edges. This stone is 16 cm wide and 5 cm thick near the center. It is a sedimentary rock from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan Provinces and probably similar stones occur in other provinces. The intricate base holds the stone high in a respectful position. This stone is in the collection of Tom Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji.

Turtles are respected animals that are associated with longevity in Asian cultures. Small turtle ponds can often be found in many Buddhist temples.