A small delicate Western Asiatic gold bead featuring a tubular centre which is ridged throughout. Granulated triangles extend out from either side of the centrepiece. Slight breakage in the centre of the bead, likely due to age and wear. Many grand civilizations 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. Gold and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Very fine granulation 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. Measurements: L 1cm X W 0.5cm Weight: 0.46g Provenance: From an Ex Japanese gentleman's (deceased) private collection, formed 1970s-2010.