Ancient Turquoise Beads with Ancient Glass Disc Beads and 20k Gold Clasp

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About the Item

Two hundred twenty-seven ancient turquoise beads with twenty orange colored ancient glass disc beads evenly spaced throughout the necklace. There are one hundred sixty-six very small turquoise disc beads and sixty tube or flattened tube beads. At the center is a flattened shape turquoise bead. It is 1 cm in length, 1.1 cm in width and 4 mm in thickness. The drill hole diameter is 2 mm. The smaller turquoise beads and the glass disc beads graduate in size from the front to the back of the necklace. The discs facing the center bead are 2 mm in thickness and 7 mm in diameter. At the back of the necklace they are 3 mm in diameter. The drill holes vary from 1.5 mm to 2 mm in diameter. The beads were made in the Bronze Age. Four thousand years ago, beads were drilled with stone bits that were turned with bow drills. Turquoise was soft enough to work easily and its color made it especially appealing. But the color is easily affected by absorption of body oils, as well as chemical reaction with alkaline soil if it lays in the ground unprotected. The pale color that survived the passage of time is not what the beads originally displayed. Except for the center bead, the colors are pale greens and blues; in some cases the beads have very little color left. We have strung these ancient turquoise beads with ancient glass beads of a dark orange color that contrasts with the color of the turquoise beads. This contrast highlights the subtle differences in the colors in the turquoise beads. The necklace is finished with a hand made 20k gold hook and eye clasp. The necklace weighs 15.5 grams. The necklace is 25 5/8 inches (62.5 cm) in length.

Creator:
David Ebbinghouse
Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Turquoise
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
15.5 g
Dimensions:
Length: 24.61 in (625 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 of the stone beads used in this piece are ancient. The goldwork is modern, and was custom made by our expert goldsmith, Michael Winsten, to enhance the beauty of the ancient beads.
Seller Location:
Bloomington, IN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2425218221542