Tibetan woman (circa 1928). Wearing a large gau and necklace of dZi,
coral, Bhaisajyaguru and unidentified beads.

Rare quality ancient Phum dZi. 36.11 mm x 14.86 mm

Newly created (no more than 10 years old) decorated agate eye bead.

Newly created (no more than 10 years old) agate eye bead.

Newly created (no more than 10 years old) agate eye bead.

Newly created (no more than 10 years old) decorated agate bead.

Newly created (no more than 10 years old) agate eye bead.

Newly created agate eye bead (no more than 10 years old).

Newly created (no more than 10 years old) decorated agate bead.

Bhutanese lady

bhutan, originally uploaded by retlaw snellac.

Long cylinder Pumtek with zig zag and stripes
decoration. (40.55 mm x 10.21 mm)

Small ancient two eyed dZi. Eyes contained within waves.

Small ancient three eyed dZi. Eyes contained within waves.

Small ancient Three Eyed dZi. Eyes contained within squares.

Small ancient Three Eyed dZi. Eyes contained within squares.

Small ancient Two Eyed dZi. Eyes contained within waves.

Pair of small ancient Three Eyed dZi. Eyes contained within waves.

Small ancient Three Eyed dZi. Closed eyes or dots contained within waves.

Coral heirloom beads (approx 2 cm diameter). 

From a private Tibetan collection.

A perfect matched pair of coral heirloom beads 

(approx 2 cm diameter). From a private Tibetan collection.

The ends of this Pumtek show clear signs of very old 

wear from being strung and worn with other beads.

The spherical bead with stripes and eyes (2nd from left) measures 16.34 mm.

The most commonly recognised decorations on spherical pumtek beads 

will be simple stripes, zig zag lines, circles (eyes), dots and diamonds 

(rhombuses). Sizes generall range from 7 mm to 20 mm, 

however, smaller and larger beads are also found.  

Early Pumtek bead with decoration that resembles the shell of the Burmese Star Tortoise.

Shell of the Burmese Star Tortoise.

Long fusiform/cylinder Pumtek bead (42.89 mm x 10.61 mm) with stripe decoration. Possibly intended to symbolise tiger stripes.

Mixed strand of early Pumtek beads.

Ancient pumtek (Pyu period or earlier).

Old amber bead set into a silver ring (possibly originates from Afghanistan). Sourced in Nepal from a Tibetan Muslim trader.

Mixed necklace of very old Pumtek beads (silicified wood*)
 including much earlier Pyu beads. 

*(geology) A material formed by the silicification of wood, generally in the form of opal or chalcedony, in such a manner as to preserve the original form and structure of the wood. Also known as agatized wood; opalized wood; petrified wood; woodstone.

Ancient decorated bead with zig zag decoration. Named 'Kiamei' by N. E Parry in his book The Lakhers (1932). Believed to be Pyu period or earlier.These beads with zig zag stripes are a common decoration in ancient and much later Pumtek beads. Similar ancient beads (created from agate) were also made in India and may have influenced the Pyu beads. They are possibly meant to signify the stripes of a tiger. Although some sellers are known to label them 'Tiger Tooth' beads. When found in a Tibetan context they are sometimes believed to be mountain peaks.

Ancient Pumtek beads

Ancient Pumtek stone beads.