Agate Antiquities

Antique Chinese multi-color Bonsai tree in cloisonné pot, very beautiful and excellent carnelian agate flowers and leaves tree with gilt cloisonné pot, s...

Antique Chinese multi-color Bonsai tree in cloisonné pot, very beautiful and excellent agate flowers and jade leaves tree with gilt cloisonné pot, see mo...

Antique Chinese multi-color bonsai tree in gilt cloisonné pot, very excellent and nice, measures: 12" tall x 8" x 3".

A hard to find pair of handcrafted Japanese white agate fuchin or scroll weights in a lovely mutton fat white (off-white) color in ball form. With new imperial cords. Dimensions:...

A hard to find pair of handcrafted Japanese white agate fuchin or scroll weights in a lovely mutton fat white (off-white) color in ball form. With new imperial purple cords. Dimens...

A unique, valuable and powerful Protection Amulet from Tibet A fine authentic old Tibetan or Central Asian six eye agate Dzi Bead dating to the Qing dynasty. This bead has been expertly fashioned using 18K gold into a custom setting. The bead measures 1.6 inches in length and the necklace is 20" in length. All our Dzi bead jewelry is artisan inspired & handcrafted from authentic old Dzi beads and 18K gold. We will provide you with a custom black gift box and certificate of authenticity. ( please view photo) Photographed in natural day light. This Classic barrel shaped bead was biconically drilled for suspension. Our naturally white banded and tapered agate bead dates to the Qing dynasty or earlier as evidenced by the significant surface patina from appropriate centuries old age (photos). Our Dzi bead has a pattern of 6 white "heavenly eyes", considered one of the most sought after types of these beads. The middle part of this bead is thicker than the tapered ends which gives them a graceful curve. An unobstructed hole runs through the centre of this lovely example. Hand carved: Ancient dzi beads are handmade, hand abraded and hand polished using tools of the time: bamboo, stone, water and stone dust. Notice the considerable and original surface patina on this example- evidence of considerable wear and good age. Dzi beads were considered magical in ancient and present times. They were sacred implements and emblems of Tibetan and other Asian cultures and are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection to the owner. They are also thought to hold medicinal propertie as some examples may show surface abrasions - also good signs of authenticity- where small amounts of the stone was extracted and later ground into powder for local medicines. Precious Dzi beads were traded across the Asian continent. Dimensions: Our bead is 2 inches in length and .87 inches diameter. Our custom cord necklace features 18-karat gold settings and is 20" in length. Quality: Fine condition Provenance: Private Far eastern collection Story Of Dzi Beads Dzi beads are a type of stone bead of eastern origin worn as part of a necklace and sometimes as a bracelet. In several Asian cultures including Tibet, the bead is considered to provide positive spiritual protection and other health benefits. These beads are also generally prized as protective amulets and are sometimes ground into a powder to be used in traditional Tibetan medicine. Beads subject to this process have small "dig marks" where a portion of the bead has been scraped or ground away to be included in the medicine. Some dzi exhibit grinding and polishing of one or both ends, again the result of reduction for use in traditional Tibetan medicine or, in some cases, due to the bead's possible use as a burnishing tool in the application of gold leaf to thanka paintings or gilt bronze statuary. The most highly prized dzi beads are those of ancient age, made of natural agate a kind of chalcedony, a type of quartz like stone. These will show wear and use marks. While traditional, ancient-style beads are greatly preferred and most sought after, new modern-made dzi are gaining popularity as a more affordable alternative. Quite powerful for a small bead, genuine old, antique Dzi beads...

A hard to find pair of handcrafted Japanese white agate fuchin or scroll weights in a lovely mutton fat white (off-white) color in ball form. With new imperial purple cords. Dime...

A Chinese scholar would have used this finely carved agate brush washer to rinse the ink from his calligraphy brush. It is carved in the shape of a lotus blossom; the flower is a sym...