Ancient Assyrian Agate, Lapis Lazuli Necklace with Original Ancient Gold Beads

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Ancient Assyrian Agate, Lapis Lazuli Necklace with Original Ancient Gold Beads

About the Item

Ancient gold and agate beads from the period of the reign of Sennacherib, the king of ancient Assyria (704-681 B.C.). There are seventeen agate and agate/carnelian beads, four lapis lazuli beads and twenty ancient gold beads. The clasp is the only modern component, and is custom made for the necklace from 20k gold. The center agate bead is of an unusual shape designed to accentuate the beauty of the banding pattern. The zone that is defined by the thick white band bulges outward similar to the way the more usually seen bow beads are made. But the bow beads (or elbow beads) are typically flatter in cross section. This bead is more like the tapered barrel shaped agate beads found in this necklace, but with a bulge on the side with the white outlined zone. The bead is 3.25 cm in length, 1.1 cm in width at the widest point in the center and 9.6 mm in width at the center (measured at 90 degrees to the widest part). The diameter of the perforation is 2 mm. The pair of agate barrel beads to either side of the center bead are 2 cm and 2.8 cm in length. Both are nearly identical in width: 8.7 mm at the center and 5.5 mm in width at the ends. The pair of round beads that follow are both 1.3 cm in length but one is 1.4 cm in width and the other is 1.6 mm resulting in a more oblate shape. This larger bead has a drill hole diameter of 3 mm while the more round shaped bead has a perforation that is just under 3 mm on one side and tapers down to less than 2 mm on the other side. This difference reveals that the oblate shaped bead is probably much earlier than the round bead. The long tapered barrel shaped agate bead that follows the oblate bead is the longest in the necklace. It is 4.1 cm in length, 9.3 mm in width at the center and 6 mm in width at the ends. The perforation is 2 mm in diameter. It's opposite on the other side of the necklace is 3.2 cm in length, 1 cm in width at the center and 6 mm in width at the ends. It also has a perforation diameter of 2 mm. Following this bead is a tapered barrel shaped agate bead that is a very transparent reddish brown quartz that has a definite banding pattern. This bead is 6 cm in length, 9.5 mm in width at the center and 6 mm in width at the ends. The drill hole diameter is 3.2 mm. The following pair of round agate beads are nearly the same size. They are 1.3 cm – 1.35 cm in diameter and have the 2 mm diameter drill holes that indicate a later age than the Bronze Age beads with 3 mm perforations (such as the oblate agate bead described earlier). In the last register of three barrel shaped carnelian beads on each side, the center beads are the ones with 2 mm perforations while the ones to either end have the larger perforations of the earlier period. The one following the round agate bead with the white markings has a clear quartz center and carnelian ends. This bead is a type found in the shaft graves of Ur and is made using the technology developed by the Indus Civilization. The bead is 2.1 cm in length, 8.5 mm in width at the center and 6 mm in width at the ends. The drill hole is 3.6 mm in diameter. The pair of agate beads to the very back are 2 cm in length, 6.5 mm in width at the centers and 4 mm in width at the ends. The perforations are 3 mm. The carnelian is darker in color and there are opaque areas both light and dark. The carnelian is from Anatolia and not western India as was utilized by the Indus craftsmen. This seems to show that the original sources for the best carnelian in western India (now Gujarat state) had either been exhausted or was now no longer available to the Indus craftsmen who were brought to ancient Sumer to make the finest carnelian beads. The techniques and drilling are characteristic of the Indus civilization but the material is from a different source to the west. There are four lapis lazuli beads in the necklace. The pair at the center are 7 mm in diameter. The pair at the back are barrel shaped and are 1.3 cm in length. Lapis lazuli was especially prized in Mesopotamia. All the gold beads in this necklace are ancient, contemporaneous with the Assyrian period. It is difficult to obtain a matching set of beads such as these and in perfect condition. When the bead is held in the hand it becomes obvious that the beads are not solid gold but are composed of hollow spheres. A huge amount of time and skill have been expended by the ancient goldsmiths in order to conserve on gold. The largest pair (to either side of the center bead) are 8 mm in diameter and are composed of six hollow spheres 3 mm in diameter arranged in a circle around a cylinder of gold sheet that forms an inner tube. There are six smaller granules that fill the spaces between the inner tube and the spaces between the spheres. There are sixteen gold beads that are composed of two rings of eight spheres arranged around three gold circular wires. These beads are 6 mm in diameter. The spheres are 1.5 mm in diameter. This necklace is from the time of Sennacherib, king of Assyria. It is typical of the Assyrians to utilize ancient agate beads from previous Mesopotamian cultures, in some cases up to fifteen centuries before them. Probably the beads were taken from the palaces and temples of enemies conquered in military campaigns. It was believed that the true ruler of Assyria was their principle god, Asher; the king was his earthly representative. At the behest of Ashur, the Assyrian kings led annual military campaigns to extend their empire. Some of the greatest gains were made under Sennacherib (reigning from 704-681 B.C.) and his father and predecessor Sargon II (reigning from 721-705 B.C.). At the empire's height, the Assyrians controlled lands from western Iran to the Mediterranean and from Egypt to Anatolia. At the time it was the largest empire that had ever been seen. At the height of their success, the Assyrians were lavish in their use of gold and royal jewelry was often inlaid with colored stones and ancient beads were given elaborate caps and frames. To our eyes, much of this seems excessive and garish, but this necklace is the opposite in aesthetic effect. The subtleties of color and form are showcased by the simplicity and directness of the design. The necklace is 20 5/8 inches (55.1 cm) in length. The necklace weighs 64.6 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Agate,Carnelian,Lapis Lazuli
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
64.6 g
Dimensions:
Length: 21.7 in (551 mm)
Style:
Artist
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
5th Century B.C.
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. All components of this necklace are ancient, except for the clasp, which was manufactured by our expert goldsmith, Michael Winsten and is 20k gold. See description for more details. The beads are in exceptional condition given their age.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425213801112

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