Bead - India - Ancient banded agate

SET OF 9 ANCIENT SULEMANI BANDED AGATE BEADS — Himalayan Indo-Tibetan Type
A genuine collection of nine ancient banded agate beads of the type known as "Sulemani" agate in Islamic tradition: glossy black stones crossed by bold white and pale blue-grey bands, cream and brown beads with sharp natural stripes, a small cream bead with black zigzag bands and one larger bead with a weathered, silvery-grey surface. The bands formed naturally within the agate itself, and one dark bead shows concentric blue-grey rings around the drilled hole. A classic group of the banded agate beads that travelled the trade and pilgrimage routes of the Himalayan belt and Western Asia.

PLEASE NOTE — THIS IS A SET OF 9 BEADS ON A THREAD
As shown, you will receive all nine ancient beads, sold together as one set, strung on the black thread exactly as they appear in the photos, in the same condition in which they survive today. The beads range from ø 7.1 mm to ø 11.3 mm: please check the 10-cent euro coin and hand photos for scale. Each bead is different in shape, pattern and wear, so please study every photo. Perfect for a one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet, as pendant focal points once restrung, or kept together as a collector's group.

THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
Beads of this type are dated broadly to the ancient trade-bead era, circa 500 BCE – 1000 CE, and are found across the Himalayan belt — India, Tibet, Nepal, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan — and Western Asia. Look closely at the photos: the group includes glossy black beads with a wide white band, a bead with a chevron-shaped white band, fine-striped grey and brown beads, cream, brown and grey beads with broad bands, a small cream bead with black zigzag bands and a black disc with concentric blue-grey rings around the hole. The largest bead has a matte, weathered silvery-grey surface where the banding is not visible in the photos. The age shows honestly: fine hairline cracks and crackle on several beads, flaked tan residue lying in the bands, small chips around some holes and fine pitting on the polish, all visible in the photos.

SULEMANI AGATE AND THE HIMALAYAN WORLD
Banded agate beads in dark and pale tones are known as "Sulemani" agate in the Islamic world, where beads of this kind have long been valued as amulets and adornment. In Himalayan Buddhist practice, related banded agate beads, above all those with a natural "eye", are known as Bhaisajya Guru beads, after the Medicine Buddha. Most of the beads in this set are banded examples, and one shows concentric rings around the hole: we describe exactly what is visible in the photos, and we make no claim about how these particular beads were used.

MATERIAL & LOOK
Natural banded agate in black, white, cream, tan, brown and pale blue-grey, in rounded, rondelle and barrel shapes, each with a drilled hole. The nine beads measure from ø 7.1 mm to ø 11.3 mm (0.28 to 0.44 in), small and compact, as the coin and hand photos show.

WHY COLLECTORS SEEK OUT THESE BEADS
The contrast between deep black polish, milky white banding and warm brown stripes is exactly what makes Sulemani agate so recognizable, and a group of nine ancient beads with so many different patterns and an honest, visible history is a genuine piece of the ancient bead trade, sought after by collectors of ancient stone beads and by jewelry designers building one-of-a-kind pieces around authentic old material. Like everything in our shop, this set is one of a kind and cannot be repeated.

SPECIFICATIONS
• Material: natural banded agate (Sulemani type)
• Quantity: 9 beads, sold together as one set
• Feature: black, white, cream and brown banded beads, one dark bead with concentric blue-grey rings, one larger weathered silvery-grey bead
• Period: circa 500 BCE – 1000 CE
• Region: Himalayan belt / Western Asia
• Size: ø 7.1 to 11.3 mm (0.28 to 0.44 in)
• Format: 9 drilled beads, sold strung on a black thread as shown
• Condition: ancient, natural wear consistent with age, hairline cracks and crackle on several beads, flaked residue in the bands, small chips around some holes (see detail photos)

FROM OUR SHOP
We are faqrun, specializing in genuine antique trade beads and tribal jewelry sourced through direct relationships built over years. Every piece is described as accurately as we can — please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the item description. Ships within 1–3 days from Spain.


This item will be shipped with trackable registered mail.