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It has recently come to my attention that a number of websites or auctions based in Taiwan or China are using my website in an attempt to authenticate the sale or auction of fake beads. I wish to state that I have no connection with these websites or auctions, and that the people concerned are doing so without my approval or permission. In fact if you see anybody, anywhere, making references to my website in order to sell their own products and their name does not appear in my links page, please understand that they are doing so without my approval or permission, and I accept no liability for their claims. If anybody genuine wishes to make a referral to my website please contact me first, so that I may reciprocate. Various Chung dZi, Etched Carnelians and Eye beads The beads in this album are of various types and come from a wide variety of regions. Huge natural Eye Chung dZi This eye bead is a natural unetched bead and is enormous, measuring about 36mm. These beads were worn to protect the wearer from the "Evil Eye" and were highly valued and anyone owning such a bead was considered fortunate. They were often used to seal a deal by traders on the Silk road, and so can be found in all parts of Asia. I bought this bead from an old lady I met in a shop in Dharamsala, N. India. The shopkeeper was not able to buy it at that time and told me that the woman needed to sell it to pay for her husband's funeral, and could I possibly help her out. Of course I was more than happy to oblige and add yet another superb bead to my collection. Can also be seen mounted in gold. Value $1000 - $1200 possibly more.
Double eye bead This etched bead is approx. 16mm and is very unusual in that it has markings both sides. I bought it from an old Buddhist monk in Ladakh, N. India in 1981. We had become quite friendly over a period of about two months, and he had many pieces of dZi but none I could afford. He offered this bead to me just as I was leaving the area. It is remarkable in that it had the classic eye on one side, and a Western style Celtic cross on the other. When he gave it to me the monk pointed at the eye and then pointed to himself. He then pointed at the cross, stretched out his arms indicating the crucifixion and then pointed at me! He spoke no English, but I understood that he was telling me that this bead had the symbols of both of our religions. Sadly it was accidentally broken and has been repaired, otherwise its value would be high, as it is unique.
Monk's Hat beads These two conical etched carnelians are called "Monks Hat" gZi and are worth around $150 each.
Etched bead with cross This bead has a cross on it was bought in Dharamsala India, the home of the now exiled Dalai Lama, so in spite of its possible early Christian symbolism is unlikely to be connected to Christianity. This bead is in a particularly good condition and would be valued at around $150 -$180. 16mm square.
Afghan Sulemani Agate This bead is believed to come from the Afghanistan region and is made from a type of agate called Sulemani agate. Not long after I had bought it in 1981, I was wearing it when it was spotted by a then Afghan refugee from the invasion by the Russians, who got extremely excited on seeing the bead and informed me that it originated from his country, that it was approx. 1500 years old and that it was highly valuable and sought after in his country. I asked him if there was a specific reason why it was so valuable, and he replied that it was valuable because it could be sold to Americans, who would pay big money for it! So it was for commercial rather than spiritual reasons that he rated it so highly. It is a large bead measuring 47mm x 15mm, but it has been well looked after throughout its history and is in exceptionally fine condition. Hard to value as it does not compare with other beads but around $300 -350.
Mixed Chung dZi necklace. This mainly unetched necklace has probably been put together in recent times as the beads in it vary greatly in age, probably by over 1000 years. The big single eyed Chung dZi is a beautiful bead in excellent condition and is large measuring 43mm x 18mm. The eye is perfect and it would have a market value of at least $300. There is only one etched bead in it and it is only two thirds of a bead. The whole necklace is probably worth around $900-1200. Detail of Mixed Chung dZi Necklace
Various Chung dZi Detail Of Various Chung dZi
Various Chung dZi Beads
Etched and unetched Chung dZi Necklace This is my own personal necklace and contains all my favourite beads collected over the last 28 years.
The following pictures are of a Sassanian stamp seal made from Chalcedony that was bought on a string of Chung dZi, but without either myself of the seller knowing about. It wasn't until much later that I discovered what it was. I discovered this seal by mistake as it was included in a job lot of Chung dZi. It was some find as it is worth more than I paid for the job lot! I have tried to research the cockerel but have found nothing of significance. The quality of the carving is exceptional. Chalcedony is a hard stone measuring 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, the maximum being a diamond at 9, so it would have to have been carved with something harder than that, and there is not much choice. Corundum to which Ruby and Sapphire belong, or more likely diamond. It is also unusual in that dome seals usually have a flat side where the design is carved, but I have never seen a seal cut like this on the curve. It would have been a lot more difficult to do and keep the perspective. It measures 20 mm in diameter, and 14 mm at its widest point. |
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