Rare Antique 18th/19thC Tibet Turquoise & Silver Hair Bead Crafted into Necklace

Description: DESCRIPTION: The Pendant in this necklace is a Very Old 18th-19th Century style Lhasa,Tibet, Hair Bead traditionally worn by the more affluent Women in Lhasa centuries ago and continuing into the present as heirlooms. This Hair bead is a handmade silver repousse design, with twisted silver and applied decorative silver granulated elements. The core is a handmade resin-type material which also backs and grips the Tibetan turquoise cabochon stone settings. This Hair Bead features a Traditional design using Silver, Copper, and Tibetan Turquoise, but additionally this is a very special and rare example of an early jewelry style which includes 16 distinctive extra turquoise stones, and detailed design elements. The necklace features the Hair Bead in a vertical orientation, drilled to adapt into a pendant, with pointed end holes soldered shut. A large old oval Tibetan turquoise with with iron pyrite webbed matrix is central to the pendant. 16 small old Tibetan turquoise teardrops and circles flank the central turquoise, as well as decorative silver elements. Four extra large nicely color matched round Tibetan turquoise beads, 2 on each side, compliment the pendant, as well as extra large handmade granulated silver round beads, and some ornate silver cones, which transition to an Antique handmade silver chain. The front portion is strung on heavy silver wire which is connected to the silver chain inside the ornate silver cone beads. Sterling clasp (shown) has been replaced with same design as in photos to assure safe closure. Overall this is quite Beautiful and visually harmonious. Truly a once in a lifetime piece of wearable Art and Beauty! * I noticed a very, very similar 18th Century Antique Tibetan Hair Bead being sold by Michael Backman Ltd., a "Rare Antique Asian, Cross-Cultural, Islamic and Tribal Decorative Arts" Dealer in London for ~$1500 US when I checked. Google him, Tibet Section, to see the striking similarities, though his example has gilding around the central cabochon and is larger. Hair Beads of this quality are extremely difficult to find, and it is lovely to find one that is ready to wear and can be enjoyed as a necklace. SIZE: The large Tibetan Hair Bead is ~82mm length X 34.63mm width X 19.76mm thick. Large central oval Tibetan turquoise cabochon on Hair bead is ~23.59mm X 15.22mm. 4 extra large round Tibetan turquoise beads are measuring ~20mm ( each: 19.79mm hole to hole, 19.75 H-H, 19.8mm H-H, 19.8mm H-H ). 2 extra large granulated silver beads measuring ~19.86mm H-H X 21.85 mm wide, ~20mm X 22.3mm wide. 2 granulated cone beads measuring ~15mm long X 10.55mm at opening. Chain length alone plus loops: side one = 5 3/4" plus clasp .66", side two = 5.5" plus 3 loops each 13.38mm, 13.4mm, 13mmWidth of Hair Bead ~ 1.25", Length from edge of Hair Bead to back loops (including beads and chain) is ~9" to the clasp on one side, and 9" to the 2nd loop on the other side. Sterling spring ring clasp 17mm.Total Length of necklace is ~ 19.5" WEIGHT: Necklace alone 6.9 Ounces CONDITION: The pendant in this necklace is made from an Antique Tibetan Hair bead of substantial age, and the surface silver repousse shows the typical and expected wear patterns, as do the other surfaces. Often these hair beads are repaired many times as they wear over many years of use, and it is not unusual to see signs on the back of new silver, copper or other metal, or sometimes the inner resin core showing. The backs typically have a handmade "pieced together" look. The large Vintage /Antique granulated silver beads and the cones show expected wear from use and age. I noted a few missing silver granulations, but overall everything is in very nice used Antique condition. The silver chain looks old, and shows wear, but in sound good condition. Please use photos to help determine appearance and condition, and zoom in as needed. PLEASE contact me before paying if you are buying multiple items and I will quote for adjusted combined shipping price. Thanks! I have been buying Antique Trade Beads for almost 50 years, and had a Wholesale and Retail Bead Store, Folk Art, and Tribal Art Store in Greensboro, NC for some 25 years (Lost and Found Gallery), and am now semi-retired. We are just beginning to sell on eBay. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the beads. PAYMENT: Through eBay SHIPPING: We Pack very well, insure, and ship USPS Priority. NOTE: For some small & light items under One Pound it is less expensive to ship USPS First Class Package and I will add that option for your selection! thanks!

Price: 1150 USD

Location: Pulaski, Virginia

End Time: 2025-01-29T17:56:17.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD