Ancient Lapis Lazuli Beads, Caterpillar Pendant with Granulated Silver Spacers

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About the Item

Seventy- five lapis lazuli beads with a center pendant bead. There are thirty-six barrel shaped beads and thirty-eight round beads each spaced by a silver ring bead. There are seventy-six of these silver beads which are composed of six grains that have been fused together in a hexagonal arrangement. The beads graduate in size from the front to the back of the necklace. The largest barrel shaped bead is 8 mm in length and 5 mm in width. The smallest is 5.5 cm in length and 3.3 mm in length. The round beads are 3 mm in length and 3.5 mm in width. The drill hole diameters are around 1.2 mm. The pendant is 1.95 cm in height, 5 mm in width, and 4 mm in thickness. It is flat on the back side with a curved front. There are a series of four grooves at the top and another series of four grooves at the bottom. The perforation is 5 mm from the top of the pendant and its diameter is 2.2 mm. Typically the beads of this type are double drilled. This one has a single perforation. We believe that the pendant bead is a depiction of an ingredient in traditional medicine that comes from the high altitudes of the Tibetan plateau. It is known there as Yartsa Gunbu (“winter worm, summer grass”), or caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinesis). It is a parasite of the larvae of ghost moths, which it kills and mummifies, finally sending up a shoot (actually the fruiting body), from the head of the caterpillar. This stem is what emerges from the ground allowing it to be identified and dug up. It was written about in the 15th century by Zurkhar Nyamnyi Dorje in a medical treatise where he mentions its aphrodisiac properties. It was also used in traditional Chinese medicine, called dong chong xia cao, it was thought to be a perfect balance of yin and yang because it was thought to be both plant and animal. The first mention of Ophicordyceps sinensis in tradional Chinese medicine was Wang Ang's 1694 compendium of materia medica, Ben Cao Cong Xin. It is highly desired by contemporary Chinese who pay exorbitant prices for it. Its high cost has made it a status symbol. It is still harvested today by Tibetan nomads where it only grows between 3,000 and 5,000 meters elevation. It would make sense that these lapis pendants would depict a rare and expensive ingredient in herbal medicine that was believed to have magical properties. The pendant bead is stylized and abstracted from the actual anatomy of the caterpillar, but it seems very probable that the people who wore these had heard about the caterpillar fungus medicine even if they had never actually seen such a are and expensive commodity. The pendants would be a status symbol as well as a protective amulet. The beads come from the Swat Valley area in what is present-day northern Pakistan. The lapis lazuli beads are approximately two thousand years old. The silver beads and hook and eye clasp have been custom made for this necklace. The necklace is 21 1/8 inches (53.7 cm) in length. The necklace weighs 18.6 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Silver
Stone:
Lapis Lazuli
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
18.6 g
Dimensions:
Length: 21.15 in (537 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 in this piece are all ancient. The silverwork is modern and was custom-made by our expert gold/silversmith, Michael Winsten, to enhance the beauty of the ancient beads.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425216231732

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