ETCHED BEADS
 The art of bead etching most probably began in the Indus Valley Civilization. Indians were the first to etch beads with soda, and from there the art spread along the trade routes to other countries. Etching was accomplished by applying an alkali, usually a soda or plant ash solution, and heat to the stone surface. This would cause the stone to become discolored or frosted in appearance, creating the design. The process required precise control of the chemical application and heating process, and the artisans of the Indus Valley were skilled at it.

These etched beads from the Indus Valley civilization have been found not only in the Indus region itself but also at sites across the ancient world, from Mesopotamia to Central Asia and Egypt. This suggests that they were highly valued trade goods, and their spread helped to disseminate the bead etching technique to other cultures.

Displayed below you can see etched Indus Valley beads from Pakistan.
 


The beads in
my collection
are now for sale

Inquire
through bead ID
for price


 
EB 0 -  13 * 11 * 5 mm - SOLD
 



EB 3  -     12 * 4,5 mm - SOLD
This bead is actually not  etched,
but displays natural lines in
jasper stone.
 

The wonderful etched eye bead to the left is designed in the rare double ax form. This design is even older than the designs from the Indus Valley culture. They can in West Asia be dated back to the Neolithic period.
  
LINES, CONTRAST, PATTERN, AND SHAPE
 		  




EB  1 - 12,5 * 4,9 mm
 

In evaluating the artistic and historical significance of etched beads, there are several key aspects to consider.

Line quality
The precision, delicacy, and uniformity of the etched lines can tell us a lot about the skills of the artisans who made the beads. The thickness of the patterns, especially in well-preserved beads, can be indicative of high quality craftsmanship, as seen in some of the ball beads you mentioned.

Contrast
The contrast between the etched design and the underlying color of the bead material is another important factor. A high degree of contrast not only enhances the visual impact of the bead but also demonstrates the bead maker's mastery of the etching process, which involves carefully controlled application of alkalis and heat.

Pattern uniqueness
The rarity and distinctiveness of the etched patterns can significantly increase the artistic and historical value of the bead. A bead might have a perfectly executed but common design, or it might have a unique and unexpected pattern that sets it apart, like the bead with the rare variation on the typical cruciform. Such designs offer unique insights into the cultural and symbolic world of the people who created and wore these beads.

Bead shape
Lastly, the overall shape and form of the bead itself is an important consideration. The shape can often be linked to specific cultural preferences or symbolic meanings. For instance, the bead with a perfectly oval shape and a flat backside is an intriguing example of the variety of forms produced by ancient bead makers.

The analysis of these factors together provides a comprehensive evaluation of the aesthetic and cultural significance of etched beads. It also reveals the expertise and creativity of the ancient artisans who created these enduring works of art.
 
Ancient, but never used		  


 

Taxila,
Pakistan?

EB  2
15 * 13 * 4,5 mm

 

This distinctive flattened oval bead indeed presents a fascinating case study in bead history. Despite its pristine condition, which led some observers to initially suspect it might be a modern creation, the presence of iron oxide within the etched lines on the backside of the bead provides compelling evidence of its ancient origin. The penetration of iron oxide into these etched lines is a slow process that takes an extended period, commonly referred to as 'geological time'. This supports the hypothesis that the bead is indeed ancient.

Additionally, the bead's rich patina, likely a result of prolonged burial, provides further corroborative evidence of its antiquity. Its apparent unused condition suggests that it might have been a burial casket bead, intended for ritual use rather than everyday wear.

The bead's relatively small hole, in contrast to the larger holes typically found in the ball beads from the same period, might hint at an evolution in bead-making techniques or aesthetic preferences over time. It suggests that the bead could date from the later stages of the Greater Buddhist India period.

In terms of its design, the complexity of the etched pattern seems to mirror the trend in the evolution of Buddhist symbology, such as the mudras or symbolic hand gestures of the Buddha. As Buddhism evolved and spread, the language of these symbols became increasingly intricate and nuanced, a development that seems to be mirrored in the bead's intricate design.

In sum, this bead provides valuable insights into the artistry, ritual practices, and cultural evolution of its era. It highlights the importance of careful analysis in bead study, illustrating how even seemingly contradictory features can come together to tell a complex and intriguing story of the past.
 		  




EB  3 - 16 * 8 mm - SOLD
 








 		  




EB 4 - 14,5 * 8 mm - SOLD
 

Black decoration
Beads adorned with black etchings are significantly rarer, marking a unique and intricate process in their creation. In this particular method, the entire bead initially undergoes a soda treatment. This step turns the surface of the bead white, as seen in the examples of EB 20 & 21. Subsequently, the desired patterns are etched onto this blank, white canvas.

However, the etching in this case is not performed with soda. Instead, a solution of iron or manganese compounds is employed, which imparts a black hue to the etched designs, standing out distinctly against the white surface of the bead. This process, though labor-intensive, results in strikingly beautiful and distinctive beads, lending a rare quality to the pieces. This technique is discussed in detail in S. B. Deo's work, 'Indian Beads'.
 		  


EB   - 11 * 6,5 mm - SOLD
 

EB  - 11 * 7 mm - SOLD

  


Barrel shaped beads with white lines
 These 3 large wonderful beads (EB 26-28) were sourced from Burma.
 		  



EcthedIndus 1 - 19 * 8 mm SOLD


Zoom in
 
 
   



 EB  26 -  29 * 15 mm  (Brm 28)
 
 



EB  29 - 21 * 10 mm
 


EB 30 - 19 * 7 mm
   



 EB 31  - 18,5 * 4,5 * 8 mm
 


EB  32 - 17 * 5 mm - SOLD
   


EB  33 - 16,5 * 7 mm



EB  34 - 15 * 7,5 mm
 

 

  



EB 35  - 15 * 7 mm
 


 EB  36 -  14 * 6,5 mm
   



EB  37 - 14 * 7 mm - SOLD
 


EB 38  - 14 * 7 mm - SOLD
   



 EB  39 - 13 * 5 mm



EB 40  - 15 * 7 mm
 
   



EB 41  - 13 * 8 mm
 


EB 42 - 12 * 8 mm

 

  



EB  43 - 11 * 5,5 mm
 


 EB  44 - 10 * 4 mm
   



EB 45 - 10 * 4 mm
 


EB 46 - 6 * 5 mm
   



EB  47 - 5 * 4 mm
 

  
   



 EB 22  -  14 * 7,5 mm - SOLD
 


 EB 23  -  14 * 7 mm - SOLD
   



 EB 24  -  12 * 6,7 mm - SOLD
 


 EB 25 -  13 * 5 mm - SOLD

 

More designs and shapes

  



 EB 48  -  15 * 9 mm
 


The bead displayed above was sourced from Burma. It has a typical Burma pattern. However it could be found anywhere within the ancient Buddhist kingdom of greater India. Beads are great travellers.
 

  
   



 

 

 
Above 3 etched beads from Burma with typical Burma design
 		  



 EB 52 -  14 * 7 mm - SOLD
 


EB 53 -   17 * 7 mm
   


EB 54  -  11 * 6 mm



EB 55  -  10 * 6 mm
 

 

  



EB 56  -  8 * 4 mm -SOLD
 


 EB 57  -  7 * 6 mm -SOLD

 

 



EB 58 -  10 * 7 * 4 mm - SOLD
 

 


 

 

  



EB 59 -  5 mm
 

 

  

Most probably the small white dots were made to serve as protective eyes. Ancient beads were used, not only as decoration, but as amulets. Sourced from Nepal.

 DIFFERENT ETCHINGS REFLECTS DIFFERENT SOCIAL STRATA IN SOCIETY
 The beads shown below offer a glimpse into the different social strata of ancient societies, as reflected through the quality and intricacy of bead etching. A spectrum of etched beads is presented, ranging from medium quality to the simplest forms. Each bead's intricacy, design, and execution can potentially tell a tale of the owner's social standing, starting from the sophisticated bead on the left and concluding with the group of simpler beads displayed in the final photo.

The exquisite Swastika bead, EB1 likely belonged to an individual of high social status or wealth. Its meticulous etching, intricate design, and superior quality materials signify a high level of craftsmanship, typically accessible only to the elite. Such beads would have been coveted status symbols, signifying power, prestige, or wealth.

As displayed below, the beads become increasingly less intricate and less carefully executed. These may have belonged to the middle strata of society - individuals who had enough resources to afford decorative beads, but not the finest ones. The designs on these beads are simpler, but they still represent a form of personal adornment and status.
 
Finally, the group of beads at the bottom represents the most basic level of etched beads. These beads are the simplest in terms of design and craftsmanship. The etchings are rudimentary, and the overall execution lacks the refinement seen in the higher-quality examples. These beads may have been accessible to the broadest swathe of society, including those of lower social status.

This gradation of bead quality and intricacy likely mirrored the stratification of society, offering a tangible and enduring record of the social dynamics of the time. Each bead, regardless of its quality or intricacy, served as an expression of personal identity and social standing. As such, they offer invaluable insights into the past, reflecting not only the aesthetic preferences of the period but also the socio-economic structures of these ancient societies.

 		  



EB  67 -  11 * 7 mm - SOLD
 
   



EB  68 -  7 mm
 


EB  69 -   6mm
   


EB 70 -   7,5 mm
 - SOLD TO HERVE



EB 70  -  10 mm
 
   



EB  71 -  15 * 7 mm - SOLD TO HERVE
 


EB 72 -   13 * 6 mm - SOLD

 
 		  



EB 73 - SOLD
 
ETCHED BURMESE BEADS
You will find the etched Pumtek Beads on this link. They are so typically Burmese that I chose to display them on the Burmese Beads page.
 
Military beads?
 This ancient carnelian Pyu bead has been colored by oil, gas, and pressure. You can read more about it here. On the internet, these kinds of beads are presented as military beads. I find it odd that a peaceful Buddhist culture like the Pyu's would have so many beads with military symbols. Stripes on beads, especially carnelian beads, are found everywhere in Greater India. The stripes most probably indicate animistic magic properties in a Buddhist context. However, particular this bead is typical for Burma and not for India.
 		  


Etched Carnelian with 4 stripes
EBB  76  -  29 * 15 m
 
   


Etched Carnelian with 5 stripes
EBB  77  -  31 * 11 mm
  

Most probably many of these etched carnelian beads have traveled between India and Burma with Buddhist monks and traders more than 1000 years ago. They were found in Matehtilay, Maline.
 
Burma embraced Theravadan Buddhism, influenced from Thailand around 1050. These artifacts, however, show the strong and direct Indian cultural influence during the times of the Pyu City states from 200 B.C. to around 1000 A.D.
 		  



Striped Burmese Ball Beads

  



EBB  80  -  15 mm
 
   



EBB  82  -  9,5 mm
 


EBB  83  -  9 mm

   



EBB  84  -  10 mm
 


EBB  85  -  10 m

   



EBB  86 -  8,3 mm
 

 
   



EBB  88  -  7,5 mm
 



EBB  89  -  10 mm
 
   



EBB  90  -  8 mm
 


EBB  91  -  8 mm
   



EBB  92  -  7 mm
 

 
 EBB  93 -  8 mm
   



EBB  94  -  10 mm
  


EBB  95  -  7,5 mm

   



EBB  96  -  8,5 mm
 

 
EBB  97 -  7,5 mm
   



EBB  98  -  9 * 8 mm
 

 
   



EBB  100  -  Upper: 21 * 10 mm
Click on picture for larger image
 
   



EBB  101  -  13 * 3,5 mm
 


EBB  102  -   11 mm


NEW ETCHING ON OLD BEADS
 Here you can observe a primitive etching on beads with poorly crafted forms. I showed the photo of these beads to some expert bead hunters in Burma. They called these beads 'village beads'. They said that they in their bead hunting had observed a great difference between beads found in ancient city areas and in village areas. It seems that the custom of poor people copying the finer crafted rich man's city beads in these more crude forms was widespread.
 		  



Largest bead upper left: 11 mm
 

Nowadays one has to be extremely careful when purchasing etched beads. One of the etched beads displayed above is most probably a fake. The bead itself is old, but the etching is new. Can you identify the bead? Here are some more examples of new etchings made on old beads:
 		  



 


As a general rule new etchings are thin, almost transparent, as one can clearly see in the beads above. Often one can observe how the new etching follows the old marks in the beads in a way that it would not do if the etching was as old as the bead itself. Note the way how the etching follows the crack in the lower left corner of the bead displayed below. If the etching is as old as the bead itself, the lines would have disappeared in there areas where later small damages occur, as you can see in the bead below: