1 of 5

Ancient Mesopotamian Agate Necklace, Gold Capped Center Bow Bead, and Eye Beads

$30,000List Price

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 fourteen agate barrel beads, five agate bow beads, two agate tabular eye beads, two round lapis lazuli beads and twenty-two ancient gold beads. The clasp is the only modern element of the piece and is custom made from 20k gold. The center bow bead is capped with gold that has been decorated with twisted wire and filigree embellishments. The width at the widest point is 4 cm. The height of the bow at the center is 1.8 cm. The bead is 4 mm in thickness. There are twenty-two round gold beads with seven ribs, two of which are the end collars around the perforation. The larger ones are 8 mm in length and they diminish in size towards the back of the necklace where they are 6 mm in length. The agate bow beads are from 2.25 cm in length to 1.74 cm. The eye beads are 1.5- 1.55 cm in diameter. The agate barrel beads range from 3.3 cm in length to 1.45 cm at the back. All of the agate beads have the color combinations associated with ancient Mesopotamian agate beads (creamy white, light brown and dark brown, mostly opaque but with some areas of translucent quartz). There is reason to believe that the gold beads and the gold end caps on the center bead and some if not all of the agate beads were the products of the Isin-Larq culture of Old Babylonia in southern Mesopotamia. There is a magnificent gold capped agate bow bead and a pair of ribbed round gold beads in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (41.160.214 a-d) that are very similar. They are attributed to Old Babylonia, ca 19-18 century B.C. 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 in ancient times 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. The necklace is 27 7/8 inches (71 cm) in length. The necklace weighs 70 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Agate
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
70 g
Dimensions:
Length: 27.96 in (710 mm)
Style:
Artist
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Unknown
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. All elements in this necklace are ancient, except for the custom, handmade clasp which was manufactured by our expert goldsmith, Michael Winsten. It is made from 20k gold. See description for details. The quality of the beads and gold is pristine.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425213810432

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Medieval Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Quartz, Silver

Medieval Style Beaded Necklace with Agate, Tiger Eye, Rutile and Diamond Accents

$2,555

Free Shipping

L 26.62 in

Arts & Crafts Agate Bead Necklace

Located in Southbury, CT

This is a gorgeous, original Arts & Crafts era (circa 1900) features 59 hand-carved round agate beads measuring 10mm to 14m, linked with hand-twisted silve...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Silver

Arts & Crafts Agate Bead Necklace

$2,200 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

L 34 in

A.Jeschel Dramatic and Bold Agate and Sardonyx bead necklace.

By A.Jeschel One-of-a-kind

Located in Miami, FL

One-of-a-Kind A strikingly bold necklace of alternating large white oval agate beads with more black than white 18mm polished sardonyx beads creates a mesmerizing pattern. Calling t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Jasper, Sterling Silver

A.Jeschel Dramatic and Bold Agate and Sardonyx bead necklace.

$1,350

Free Shipping

L 14 in

Striking Black Jet and Red Agate Beads Runway Necklace

By Coach House

Located in Montreal, QC

Unique Black Jet and Red Agate Necklace; hand knotted with matching color silk threads; enhanced by 2 Fimo beads; faceted black jet beads are approx...

Category

Vintage 1980s Modernist Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate

Striking Black Jet and Red Agate Beads Runway Necklace

$350 Sale Price

22% Off

Free Shipping

L 34 in

French, Beaded Necklaces with Tiger Eye Stone, Yellow Gold and Bakelite

Located in Vannes, FR

French Beaded Necklaces with Tiger Eye Stone, Yellow Gold and Bakelite French Collection by Mesure et Art du Temps. French beaded necklaces accompanied by 26 tiger eyes, 1 beaded ye...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French, Beaded Necklaces with Tiger Eye Stone, Yellow Gold and Bakelite

$1,390 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

W 0.67 in L 21.86 in

Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Agate Bead and Sterling Silver Necklace

By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.

Located in New York, NY

Comprising fourteen very large black and white banded agate beads, joined to a sterling silver twin hoop clasp, signed Tiffany & Co., Paloma Picasso, length 17 1/4 inches. Iris Apfel...

Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Agate Bead and Sterling Silver Necklace

$7,599

Free Shipping

L 17.25 in

Banded Agate "Eye" Beads, MWLC

By Mark Walsh Leslie Chin

Located in New York, NY

Banded agate eye beads with banded agate "eye" form clasp by MWLC. Made by hand in their Parisian studios. Each bead simulates an "eye" and the clasp has y...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Gilt Metal

Banded Agate "Eye" Beads, MWLC

$875

Free Shipping

W 0.75 in L 18 in

Polished Gemstone Necklace including Rose Quartz, Amethyst and Agate Beads

Located in London, GB

Fabulous gemstone necklace with a silver tone barrel clasp. The beautiful polished gemstones include rose quartz, amethyst and agate. The large beads are interspersed with sets of th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Beaded Necklaces

Polished Gemstone Necklace including Rose Quartz, Amethyst and Agate Beads

$367

Free Shipping

L 24.4 in

Ancient Style Pearl and Multicolor Jade Beaded Necklace with Diamond Spacer

By Artisan NYC

Located in New York, NY

This necklace features a beautiful combination of pearls and multicolor jade beads, carefully chosen to create a stunning contrast. The diamond spacer ...

Category