Ancient Bactrian Bronze Age Carnelian, Assorted Etched Shapes on 18-inch Strand
SKU: GMO-721
Sale price
$950.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 1 in stock
Description
- 18-inch strand packed full of a wide variety of sizes and shapes of ancient etched carnelian beads. 6-22mm long. There's more variety here than in GMO-724 and some special shapes including cones, pyramids, cornerless cube, faceted bicones, triangle, center drilled, top drilled, and more. Whereas GMO-724 could be resturng almost as is, this strand would probably serve better as a collector piece or to create a variety of small necklaces each with one special bead as the focal.
- Some beads do have uneven ends, requiring innovating stringing.
- The term "etched" is a misnomer dating from early archeology before the technique was well understood. It's still a bit of a mystery, but these beads are not etched by engraving or acid. Instead a solution of alkali with viscous plant juices and other ingredients (some unknown) was painted onto the beads in the desired designs. Then, when the bead is heated to a specific temperature a chemical alteration created a white deposit within the stone. It's not just on the surface goes deeper. It's an ancient art related to the still mysterious dZi beads.
- The bronze age Bactrian civilization occupied a mountainous region in norther Afghanistan where these beads were collected.
- I bought them from a retired mining engineer who had worked there in the 1950s.
- He bought the loose beads and had them strung by local villagers. Returning to Colorado he had the the beads dated and authenticated at the Denver Museum of Natural History. I am posting several strands, each one unique.
- I am enchanted with these beads and have kept quite a few. I can't wait to string them with some of my Indian high karat gold!
- I'm grouping them with the Ancient Glass to makeGMO-724b them easier for collectors to find. They are also posted in the Gemstones Collection.