A selection of antique and ancient Himalayan beads.

A super large ancient Bhaisajyaguru bead. Diameter 3.9 cm!!

Ancient striped Chung dZi.

Tibetan Ladies in Dege

Tibetan Ladies in Dege, originally uploaded by sleepycafe.

Tibetan Lady

A nice Tibetan Lady, originally uploaded by Nilpesh.

Tibetan Lady, 1880s

Tibetan Lady, 1880s, originally uploaded by Foxtongue.

Antique turquoise beads sourced in the Himalayan regions are magnificent in their colour and feel. Their freeform shape gives them real character. Natural oils from the skin will alter the colour of these beads from their original blues to much darker greens. Tibetans believe these beads help absorb toxins from the body. Notice the enlarged perforation on this bead. This gradually happens over the course of many years of being strung.

A modern Taiwanese 'New' dZi purchased in Nepal. This is a magnificent and huge bead (83.41 mm x 20.37 mm). Similar beads are routinely misrepresented on ebay and more commonly on Asian websites as being ancient.

Attractive single stripe decorated agate beads. These are newly created beads from Taiwan or China. Designed to closely resemble the ancient Bhaisajyaguru (Suleimani/Soloman) beads.

High quality new luk Mik dZi with 'horns' (Taiwan). with approx 35 mm

Very high quality 'NEW' Luk Mik dZi with horns. Notice the added weathering marks to give the appearance of age.

Melon shaped Pema Raka bead.

A rare quality ancient agate bead with a very desirable colour. Sourced in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. 5.7 cm x 1.6 cm.

A modern Taiwanese Lotus/Vase dZi (sourced in Nepal). Genuine ancient beads with this decoration are amongst the most sought after of all dZi. Apparently in some regions of Tibet they are considered more valuable than the legendary 9 eyed dZi.

Ancient Agate Bead with natural stripe.

Rare quality banded agate cylinder bead. 6.5 cm x 1.3 cm

Local woman in Geling, Mustang

Local woman in Geling, Mustang, originally uploaded by BobWitlox.

The warrior, originally uploaded by tehkahyeim.

Khampa Ladies Hair, originally uploaded by themexican.

fathereldestdaughter, originally uploaded by themexican.

Khampas in traditional dress, originally uploaded by Kungavo.

Woman at Jokhang

Woman at Jokhang, originally uploaded by Marc C.

Jokhang Temple_woman 3.jpg, originally uploaded by exploreannenberg.

Tibetan woman outside the Jokhang Temple, Tibet. Notice her necklace of chank shell discs that were probably made by her own prayer wheel.

Photo title: Kyipup, an offical, in New Year dress.

Lhasa: The Holy City by F. Spencer Chapman. published 1938

A Nomad Woman

From the book Lhasa: The Holy City by F.Spencer Chapman. published 1938. A six eyed dZi can be seen towards the bottom of this necklace. She may be wearing a bone, ivory or conch (chank) shell mala.

Traditional Tibetan outfit with adornments. This type of attire would have been worn by a local official. Men wore large necklaces and strings of turquoise dangled from their ear.

An old mala made up of coconut shell disc shaped beads and strung with carnelian spacers. Counters are attached to keep track of mantra accumulations. One side keeps track of the hundreds and the other keeps track of the thousands. When 10,000 mantras have been completed a marker (such as the small pieces of turquoise pictured) is moved one disc bead along. 10 disc beads would equal 100,000 recitations. For those who have several different types of mantras to recite then their mala may have several different markers.

Pictured above is a small metal Dorje (Vajra). This and similar pieces are usually strung on the tassle of a Guru bead. They can be fastened securely to a belt or an item of clothing. Tibetans still use these today to protect against loss and to stop their beads from falling on the floor. Very handy for Tibetans who are always on the move.

Old disc bead mala with carnelian. This style of mala is usually favoured by Tibetan women.

A prized ancient agate bead (centre) with exceptional colour contrast.

 

Ancient round agate eye bead and single stripe decorated agate bead.

Ancient decorated agate beads. It is very unsual to find the central Longevity bead in this size and shape.

Ancient green stone bead sourced from a Tibetan trader in North East India.

Ancient agate bead with natural eye. This bead has a fantastic patina and an unusual yellow colour.

 

Large ancient agate bead with excellent colour.

The one-of-a-kind oval shaped carnelian bead (with cross decoration) is exceptionally rare. I have never seen another decorated bead like this.

Various ancient beads including round lonegvity bead and decorated carnelian cone bead.

A zoomorphic agate. Possibly shaped like the head of a tiger. Sourced in North East India. 

This was proabably a  9 or 12 eyed bead when it was whole. Now only six eyes remain.

A spectacular ancient agate eye bead.

Ancient agate bead with natural eye.

Ancient Luk Mik dZi.

Ancient agate bead with natural eye formation.

Vivid turquoise bead flanked with ancient Jasper.

Ancient six striped carnelian bead.

Various ancient agate beads including the reverse side of a Luk Mik (far right).

Various ancient stone beads.