Ancient Lapis Lazuli Beads with Carnelian and Granulated Silver Ring Beads

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Ancient Lapis Lazuli Beads with Carnelian and Granulated Silver Ring Beads

About the Item

Forty-five barrel shaped lapis lazuli beads with nine carnelian beads, each faced with a granulated silver ring bead. Three of the nine carnelian beads are tabular, the remaining six are short barrel shaped beads. The center bead is 1.15 cm in length, 1.2 cm in width, and 5 mm in thickness. The drill hole diameter is 3 mm. The shape is rounded with the front and back surfaces gently curving to the rounded edge. The bead is four thousand years old. The two short carnelian barrel beads are also from the time of the Bronze Age. They also have the 3 mm drill hole diameters, and well defined barrel shape. They are 7.2 mm in length, 6 mm in width. Of the next set of tabular carnelian beads, one is another four thousand year old Bronze Age bead and the other is a two thousand year old Iron Age bead. The smaller is the older bead; it is 9 mm in length, 8.5 mm in width and 4.5 mm in thickness. It has a rounded form with both front and back tapering gently to the rounded edge. In contrast, the 2,000 year old carnelian bead is not as carefully made. It has slight dimples on each of its front and back sides where it has not been ground down completely. The overall shape is not as precise and one can see through the sides that the 2 mm drill holes meet in the center instead of being a 3mm hole that runs straight through. Of the remaining barrel shaped beads, three are Bronze Age but the bead to the upper right in the photograph is later, probably 2,000 years old. The form is not as precise and it is made of the almost transparent carnelian that we see in the tabular bead we have just discussed. One interesting detail is that the drill hole is 2.5 mm on one side and 1.5 mm on the other. It seems the hole has been drilled straight through from one side. The three four thousand year old barrel shaped beds are very uniform in size. They are 7 mm in length and 5 mm in width. The lapis lazuli barrel beads are very nearly the same size as the carnelian barrel beads. They graduate in size from the front to the back of the necklace. The largest is 6.3 mm in length and 5.2 mm in width. The smallest at the back is 5 mm in length and 3.5 mm in width. As was previously stated, the carnelian beads (except for the two indicated) are four thousand year old beads. The lapis lazuli beads and the two carnelian beads are two thousand year old beads from northern Pakistan. One might be tempted to think that the earlier beads would be the lesser quality, and that over time the technology would evolve and the beads would become better made and evolve towards higher and higher quality. Actually the opposite is true. The early beads required more effort and care in their manufacture and were only available to the highest segments of society, in short, kings and royalty. As time went on and technology evolved, less time was required and more beads could be made allowing access by the more common people. The quality of the product would be less important than the quantities produced which would mean a lowering of standards. The finest quality beads would still be produced for an elite market, but the overall quality would vary more. This necklace showcases the very fine Bronze Age carnelian beads. The lapis lazuli and silver beads provide contrast and accents. Each of the carnelian beads is faced with a granulated ring bead composed of six grains fused together in a hexagonal arrangement. The Fine silver hook and eye clasp is also custom made for the necklace. The necklace is 18 ¼ inches (46.3 cm) in length. The necklace weighs 21.5 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Silver
Stone:
Carnelian,Lapis Lazuli
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
21.5 g
Dimensions:
Length: 18.23 in (463 mm)
Style:
Artist
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Unknown
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The stone beads used in this piece are all ancient. The silverwork is modern and was done by our expert gold/silversmith, Michael Winsten, to enhance the beauty of the ancient beads.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425216420082