Pumtek Beads, Assorted Smaller Shapes and Sizes on 20-inch Strands

ASG-60

Regular price $59.00

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  • Strand of small Pumtek beads 6 tubular, 2 diamond, 2 half-moon, and 46 round beads ranging in size from 8 to 4mm diameter. Only one available
  • Pumtek means "buried thunderbolt" in the Chin language of Burma where these beads originate. That gives an idea of how interesting they are!
  • The original versions were made by the Pyu people of Burma between the 3rd and 9th centuries and have been valued as heirloom beads ever since.
  • The come in a variety of shapes and sizes and may have been inspired by, and were probably made with similar techniques, as dZi beads.
  • They exploded onto the western bead market in the 1980s and were initially not very expensive, but the prices have increased dramatically and reproductions quickly followed, confusing the market
  • I particularly like these small sizes, but they were likely made within the past 40 years in Myanmar.