Central Asia, Bactria, ca. late 3rd millennium BCE. An incredible necklace made of ancient beads restrung in modern times to restore its ancient glory. Strung in three strands, it centers on a chlorite compartmental rosette bead, inlaid with lapis lazuli and carnelian. Above that, the strands are arranged with alternating black and white spacers, interspersed with banded agate and lapis lazuli tabloids, and shell barrels, joined by triple strand 80% silver spacers. The center features two quatrefoil compartmental chlorite pendants inlaid with lapis lazuli, calcite, carnelian, and copper. At the upper end of the necklace, the three strands join together at a pair of triangular shell terminals. Length of strand: 35" L (88.9 cm); size of rosette: 1.45" W (3.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Johnson collection, Houston, Texas, USA, acquired in 2013; ex-Christie's, New York "Ancient Jewelry" auction (sale 2771, December 13, 2013, lot 201); ex-Nefer Galerie, Zurich, Switzerland, late 1970s to early 1980s

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#153561

Beads are ancient, restrung with modern cord. Most of the beads are in very nice condition with light wear commensurate with age. The upper chlorite pendant has some losses as shown and has been repaired at its center. The large chlorite rosette is in good condition but is missing three of its inlays with some of the other inlays partially lost.