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TINY ANCIENT
BEADS
These
diminutive marvels are a testament to the subtle
artistry of ancient civilization. Their size does not
reflect their monumental significance; rather, it
highlights the intricate workmanship, precision, and
dedication of their creators. These tiny ancient beads
weren't meant for ostentatious displays of wealth or
status. Instead, they are objects of intimate beauty,
their allure discernible only to those who appreciate
the finer nuances of ancient craft.
Take for instance TB 1. At first glance, it may appear
to be a mere speck, an easily overlooked piece of
antiquity. However, peer closer and you'll see that its
real beauty lies beneath the surface. The perfect hole
piercing through the translucent agate, in fact, has a
greater volume than the stone itself. This isn't just a
bead; it's a marvel of craftsmanship, an example of
unparalleled precision and refined artistry. It's a
relic that has weathered over 3,500 years, carrying with
it the legacy of the ancient Indus civilization.
Interestingly, the Indus culture is primarily known for
its large, slender beads. These were statement pieces,
ornaments designed to command attention and manifest
social superiority. They were symbols of prestige and
power, tangible indicators of the social hierarchy.
However, in stark contrast, these tiny beads represent a
more personal and delicate facet of the same culture.
They showcase a different aspect of Indus craftsmanship,
one that values subtlety over flamboyance, precision
over grandiosity. These aren't just adornments; they are
the embodiment of an age-old cultural narrative,
providing a glimpse into the unspoken intricacies of a
society long vanished into the corridors of time.
So, when you look at these tiny ancient beads, remember,
their size is a deliberate design element, a testament
to the skill of the craftsman and the culture that
valued such artistry.
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The beads in
my collection
are now for sale
Inquire
through bead ID
for price |
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TB
1 - 6 * 3,2 mm
NB! It is here important to mention that these
beads
only will reveal their full potential when magnified through
a macro lens and illumined with the right kind of light.
An ancient bead will never show its full luster,
colors and
patterns without a magnifying lens and the right
light settings.
This is especially true for small beads and
beads that
display various degrees of translucency.
You can always ask for a more 'realistic' photo
taken from my iPhone.
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Use a loupe or
any magnifying device
Using a magnifying device like a loupe is an
excellent idea when examining ancient beads, especially
small ones. The details that are missed by the naked eye
can be revealed under magnification, sometimes
surprising even the most seasoned collector with the
exquisite craftsmanship hidden in plain sight.
For these photos, I utilized the macro lens of my iPhone
12 Pro Max. Prior to this, I hadn't fully appreciated
the treasures that lay within these tiny artifacts.
Use a proper light source too
Equally important to magnification is the use of a
high-quality light source. In normal daylight and to the
unaided eye, these beads may not appear particularly
vibrant or colorful. However, when illuminated with a
powerful, pure white light source, their true brilliance
emerges.
Keep in mind that if you're considering purchasing any
of these beads, it's advisable to view them under
similar conditions to appreciate their full aesthetic
potential. As such, I would be happy to provide you with
more 'realistic' photos to help inform your decision.
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TB
2 - 7 * 4,5 mm ok
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As societies shifted from hunting and gathering to more
settled agricultural practices, the emphasis on social
hierarchy became more prevalent. In such a context, it
would seem impractical to expend such a great deal of
effort, energy, and time on crafting such minuscule
beads to near-perfection, particularly when creating
beads of less than 11 * 5 mm in size poses significant
challenges. Yet, the existence of these beads indicates
something profound about human nature: the timeless
appreciation for exquisite craftsmanship and beauty.
Rather than serving as prominent symbols of power or
wealth, these tiny beads function more subtly. They are
less about outward displays of status and more about a
quiet, introspective admiration. They act as silent
players in a deeply personal, almost meditative,
relationship between the wearer and the artifact,
inviting an appreciation for their concealed allure.
When closely observed, it's clear that the material
quality of these diminutive specimens is outstanding.
This isn't surprising, as sourcing high-grade agate is
simpler when the required size for crafting a bead is
small. This implies that the bead makers placed a high
value on the quality of their raw materials, despite the
small scale of their creations.
In conclusion, these tiny beads reminds us that the
pursuit of beauty and mastery can flourish even in the
smallest and most unassuming of forms.
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TB
3 - 7,2 * 5,1 mm ok
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TB
4 - 7 * 5 mm ok
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TB
5 - 6,3 * 4,4 mm ok
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TB
6 - 7,1 * 4,9 mm ok
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TB
7 - 11,7 * 5 mm
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TB
8 - 9 * 5 mm ok
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TB
9 - 8,5 * 4,5 mm ok
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TB
10 - 8.5 * 7,5 * 4,5 mm ok
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TB
11 - 7 * 5,2 mm ok
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TB
12 - 10,1 * 7,5 * 5,1 mm ok
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TB
13 - 7 * 7 * 4 mm ok
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Paranoia conspiracy theories have
expanded in the slipstream of fear created by its more physical
twin, the COVID 19.
TB
14 - 9,8 * 6 mm ok
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TB
15 -
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TB
16 - 9,9 * 6,5 mm ok
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TB
17 - 8,5 * 6,3 mm ok
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TB
18 - 9,5 * 5,5 * 4,5 mm
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TB
19 - 9,1 * 5,5 mm
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TB
20 - 9,3
* 6,5 mm
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TB
21 - 12 * 6 mm
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TB
22 - 12,6 * 5,5 mm
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TB
23 - 9 * 8 * 3,2 mm
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TB
24 - 17 * 3 mm
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TB
25 - 10 ,5 * 6mm
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TB
26 - 9 * 6,2 mm
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TB
27 - 11 * 10 * 3,5 mm
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TB 12 - 8,5 * 3,5 * 2,5 mm
I have baptized this bead: The Mesopotamian Mystery
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How strange it may sound... I found this
tiny 3-eyed bead in a plastic bag of broken beads that followed a lot of
Indus beads I purchased in Bangkok. On the photo above you can see the
content of the bag including this tiny eye bead. The bead is in such
good condition that it even could pass the test of being examined by
Chinese eyes.
I have never seen such a bead before. It was indeed a mystery. However
the solution
came when I at the Bangkok bead fair 2017 observed similar beads on a
bead timeline board made by
Li Yu, MA, lecturer at Sichuan University and
Han Muzhe, PHD student, Central China Normal University. They
explained to me that this type of tiny eye beads were manufactured in
ancient Mesopotamia and then exported to the Indus Valley. This tiny 3-eyed bead reminds me of
the very small steatite beads, often not more than on
millimeter, found in Harappa. These almost microscopic beads
show extraordinary skill and patience in their manufacture, a
skill similar to the one used in the eye bead above.
---As peculiar
as it may sound, I stumbled upon this minuscule 3-eyed
bead in a bag of broken beads, which came along with a
lot of Indus beads I bought in Bangkok. As the photo
above illustrates, among the contents of the bag was
this tiny eye bead. Despite its minute size, the bead is
in such good condition that it would pass muster even
under the scrutiny of discerning connoisseurs.
I had never encountered such a bead before. It was
indeed a conundrum, the answer to which came to light
during the Bangkok Bead Fair in 2017. At the event, I
came across similar beads displayed on a bead timeline
board by
Li Yu, MA, lecturer at Sichuan University and
Han Muzhe, PHD student.
These incredibly knowledgeable individuals explained
that these tiny eye beads originated in ancient
Mesopotamia and were then exported to the Indus Valley.
This tiny 3-eyed bead reminds me of the minuscule
steatite beads, often no more than one millimeter in
diameter, unearthed in Harappa.
Despite their microscopic size, these beads showcase
extraordinary craftsmanship and patience in their
creation. The skills involved in creating these
intricate pieces bear striking similarities to those
employed in crafting the eye bead above.
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