A restrung Western Asiatic necklace formed from agate beads. It features rhomboid and oblong beads in red and pink tones that gradually increase in size towards the centre of the necklace, where four cylindrical granulated gold spacer beads are added. Some abrasions, chipping and encrustations to the surface of the beads. The necklace is finished with a gold-plated clasp. Many grand civilisations inhabited the area of Western Asia in antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity is witnessed by the very sophisticated precious metal crafting of jewellery. Gold would have been hammered down to a thin layer and manipulated into different shapes. Fine granulation, as we can see on this item, along with filigree, were at the centre of Near Eastern and Western Asiatic jewellery production and were later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. Precious and semi-precious stones were also widely used. Measurements: 52.5cm full length Provenance: From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.