AN OLD TUBULAR ‘CHUNG DZI’ BANDED AGATE BEAD Himalayan region, presumably Tibet or India, around 500-1000 CE or later. Long, half translucent bead of an interesting color palette, showing subtle transition from dark-chocolate to a cream hue, diversified by slim, milky-white transverse inclusions. Well-polished and with central drilling showing ancient toolmarks. ‘Chung dzi’ beads are believed to have been created in ancient times by bead makers from agate or chalcedony and were worn as protective amulets. The prefix chung in this instance refers to a specific type of stone material that has unique healing properties.

Condition: Very good condition with some minor notches and weathering commensurate with age.
Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe.

Weight: 5.9 g
Dimensions: 4.5 cm