A Western Asiatic gold bead, pierced longitudinally for suspension. The bead features an ovoid body, adorned with a double granulated band on each end encompassing the openings. Signs of wear as consistent with age. 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 0.8cn x W 0.4cm Weight: 0.41g Provenance: Ex Japanese private collection, deceased, 1970-2010.