A fine Western Asiatic gold rectangular bead, composed of two adjoined tubes formed from gold sheets. The piece is decorated with granulation at each end consisting two rows of flattened globular modules. A vertical and horizontal band of granulation, intersecting each other at the centre, further enrich the body. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as tarnishing, surface pitting, and indentations to the surface. Encrustations filled one of the tubes. 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, electrum and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. 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. Measurements: L 1.1cm x W 0.5cm Weight: 0.42g Provenance: Ex Japanese private collection, deceased, 1970-2010.