Ancient Tabular Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli Beads with Granulated 20k Gold Spacers

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Ancient Tabular Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli Beads with Granulated 20k Gold Spacers

About the Item

These beads come from the Swat Valley in what is now northern Pakistan. Two thousand years ago, this was part of the Buddhist kingdom of Uddiyana. Uddiyana was of considerable strategic and commercial importance in the ancient world. Its fertile valleys, warm climate, and above all, its central position on the busy trade routes between Asia and the Mediterranean made it valuable territory to control. As a consequence, it suffered numerous conquests, with each conqueror leaving an imprint on the culture; the result was a cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic society which is reflected in the many types and materials of the beads that are found there. The small diameters of the perforations are consistent with the beads found in India during the Kushan Period, about two thousand years ago. Swat was a part of the Kushan dynasty and so it is quite likely that the beads were made about two thousand years ago. The combination of lapis lazuli and carnelian was especially prized in ancient Mesopotamia and we have utilized the alternation of the two colors in the design of the necklace. The necklace consists of fifty-one carnelian beads and fifty-two lapis lazuli beads alternating with one hundred two granulated 20k gold spacer beads. The carnelian beads are of two forms: one is a diamond shaped tabular bead and one is a slightly tapered longer bead of triangular cross section. These two shapes alternate in the necklace with a round lapis bead faced with two granulated gold beads between the carnelian beads. The beads graduate in size from the front to the back of the necklace. The largest diamond shaped tabular bead in the center of the necklace is 9.2 mm in length, 1 cm in width and 3 mm in thickness. The drill hoe diameter is 1 mm. The smallest diamond shaped bead at the back of the necklace is 4.2 mm in length, 5.2 mm in width and 2.3 mm in thickness. The triangular cross section beads are 7.2 mm in length at the center of the necklace, 3.8 mm in width at the center and 3 mm wide at the ends. The drill holes are 1 mm in diameter. At the back of the necklace these are 5 mm in length and 3 mm in thickness. The roughly spherical lapis lazuli beads graduate in size from 3.8 mm to 2.7 mm. The granulated gold beads are formed from five tiny spheres or grains reduction soldered into a ring. The clasp and beading tips are also hand made from 20k gold. The necklace is 60 cm (23 1/2 inches) in length. The necklace weighs 18.8 grams.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Carnelian,Lapis Lazuli
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
18.8 g
Dimensions:
Length: 23.63 in (600 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 goldwork is modern and was done by our expert goldsmith, Michael Winsten, to enhance the beauty of the ancient beads.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425215315722