ANCIENT GLASS BEADS
Glass beads are not in my field of expertise. However I would like to display the few ones I have.


 
Multi colored glass beads
 


The beads in
my collection
are now for sale

Inquire
through bead ID
for price

 

GLB  1  -  12 * 8 * 4 mm  -  14 * 9 * 4 mm
Kaushambi - Allahabad UP -
NOT FOR SALE



 


The illustration is taken from the book: "Indian Beads" - A Cultural and Technological Study - Shantaram B. Deo p. 143 It shows beads excavated from Kausambi, Uttar Pradesh, Early historic period. Note the similarity between the two beads on my scan and the bead displayed in the low right corner of the photo from the book.

Ancient blue glass beads

 



GLB  2  -  Average size: 6 * 3,5 mm - SOLD
Click on picture for larger image
  

 
Wonderful deep blue colored glassbeads with stripes. Greater India - probably Maurian Period 300 B.C. - 100 A.D.
Note the similarity between these wonderful beads and the bead displayed in the low left corner of the illustration from the previous mentioned book "Indian Beads".
 

A bead expert told me with absolute certainty that the beads displayed below with the red dot in the middle were from the Islamic Period 800 - 900 AD.
 
 



GLB  3  -  Disk beads: 9 * 2 mm
Eyebeads from the early classical period
 


However - as you can observe in the illustration below from "Indian Beads" (p.142) an identical bead (no 3 in the upper row) was excavated in Kausambi (and Rajghat) from sites belonging to the Early historic period.
 
 


 
 


The differing perspectives on the origins of the beads highlighted in this discussion serve to underscore the inherent uncertainty that frequently surrounds ancient artifacts. Questions persist about their origin, authenticity, and potential duplication. An intriguing example of such debate can be found on beadcollector.net , where an engaging discussion revolves around the small blue glass beads adorned with white stripes.

In this discourse, the participants exercise a level of 'humility', recognizing that none possess absolute certainty or definitive knowledge about these beads. As an outsider and self-proclaimed non-specialist in beads, I have often been taken aback by the sheer conviction with which some bead experts stake their claim to the truth.

The difficulty often arises from the inherent human tendency to desire resolution and clarity. The unknown can be unsettling and admitting that we simply don't know can sometimes be challenging. Yet, there is an undeniable allure to these unanswered questions. What could be more captivating than a mystery bead? Each unanswered question, each unknown facet, adds another layer to the allure, transforming these objects into captivating puzzles, waiting to unfold their secrets. In the end, the quest for knowledge and understanding is a journey, not a destination, and in this journey lies the beauty of discovery.

Ancient white, green and red striped glass beads
 

 



GLB  4  -  Average size: 10 mm

Banded glass beads
Largest piece: 12 mm - smallest piece: 8 mm 
Early historic period - most probably Maurian - 300 B.C. - 100 A.D.
 


The ancient glass beads displayed above were made before the days of mass production. They vary greatly in terms of size,  shape, art and color. Each one of them has a 'soul' of their own. Note that you can find the quite rare beads with the red stripes on the above illustration from the Indian Bead book. (third in the middle row)



Ancient black glass beads
 
 



GLB  5  -  Note the similarity to beads in the illustration from Indian Beads
 
  10 * 8 mm 12 * 8 mm 11 * 6 mm 10 * 5 mm  

 

Ancient colored striped glass beads
 

 



GLB  6  - 
 
  15 * 8 mm 15 * 8 mm 17 * 7 mm  



Colored glass beads from the Early Historic period  B.C.
 
 




11 * 4 mm                   9 * 5 mm



9 * 6 * 3 mm
GLB  7  - 
 



BURMESE GLASS BEADS
 
 


These Pyu glass beads are made in resemblance of the typical Burmese jade.
 
 



Click on picture for larger image
16 * 5,5 mm
GLB  9  - 
 


Ancient Persian glass beads
 

 



GLB  10  - Average 16 mm
 



 

 

 


 
 

 

   
   

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Contact: Gunnar Muhlman - Gunnars@mail.com