AN277,   There are three strands of ancient Egyptian faience here.  They are all poorly strung (#3 is on fishing line) and would be much happier strung onto a cotton or silk thread with a clasp more typical of their age.  Strand #1 has little glass beads in dark gold yellow hues strung along with the faience.  There are 18 inches of delicate beads.  $135.US.   Strand #2 is 22 inches long and has a patterned bead/stamp hanging on the bottom.  It has a floral design on one side and something that would work as a "signature" on the other.   $155.US.   Strand #3 is 16 inches long and has 3 fat faience (1/2 inch in diameter) beads (2 formed slightly into melon shapes) at the bottom.   $120.US. (#1 & #2 are available)
   AN/necklace #1.   Strung on 15 inches of robust, facet labradorite beads, this ancient Roman silver coin looks proud and gracious. The denomination is a denarius, and the portrait on it is of Valerian II I believe AD253-255.  He is wearing a radiant crown.  On the reverse is an image of Jupiter seated, holding patera and sceptre, with an abstracted eagle at his feet.  The coin is enclose within an antique silver mount.     $145.US
   AN307.    Bactrian beads rom Iran - carved bone spindle whorls - over 2000 yrs old...  $650.US.
   AN308.   is a strand of Hebron beads, made in the deserts in the Israeli area.  They are a few hundred years old so technically not "ancient" ("ancient" generally means 1000+ years old).  There is 22 inches of beads on the strand with the largest measuring 1 inch in diameter.  A great colour.   $150.US.
   AN309.   $300.US.   (sold)
   AN310.  Ancient eastern beads - $240.US
   AN311.   Ancient faience beads - $500.US/each
   AN312.   $600.US.
   AN313.   Ancient crystal/agate - $240.US.   (sold)
   AN314.   $600.US.
   AN315.   Ancient banded agates are real treasures and these strands have some interesting beads among them.  The beads are strung with tiny modern beads in between the ancient ones.  They look like knots in the strand but are much simpler to string.  Strand #1 is almost 16 inches long with a central bead which is 3/4 inch long.  It has two crystal beads on it, and some pendant beads facing outwards.  One of those beads has ancient etched swirls on it.  There is a nice variety in shapes of beads here, and some dramatic stripes.   In strand #2 the central bead is an old glass imitation of a banded agate.  It is a vibrant bead.  It has a hairline fracture around 3/4 of it and a small chip on one side, but still looks great.  The other beads are all stone in a variety of sizes and shapes.  It is about 16 1/2 inches long.   - $400.US/each strand
   AN316.   Here are two wonderful strands of ancient crystal beads, brought out of Afghanistan.  The beads are substantial with weighty pendant beads at the bottom.  They have more clarity and brightness than appears on the photographs.  Strand #1 has 18 inches of beads.  The central bead is a little over 1 inch in diameter.  There is a clear glass bead to one side of the pendant.   On strand #2 there are 16 inches of beads with a pendant which is 1 1/8 inches long.  These are ready to be made into necklaces  - $300.US/each strand
   AN317.   Ancient crystal - $110.US/each strand   (#3 is sold)
   AN318.   Ancient crystal -    (all are sold)
   AN319.   The colouring of ancient lapis beads is quite different than the modern cuts.  They do show their age with their subtlety and with the white coating that appears after hundreds of years.  The strands average 19 inches in length (perfect for a necklace) - plus pendants  - $134.US/each strand    (#3 is sold)
   AN320.   $115.US/each strand.
   AN321.   $105.US/each strand.
   AN322.  Ancient garnet bead strands - $55.US/each strand  (both sold)
   AN323.   Ancient carnelian - $300.US/each strand
   AN324.   Glass ancient bead strands - $55.US/each strand (all sold)
   AN325.   Glass ancient bead strands - $55.US/each strand (#1 & #2 are sold)
   AN326.   Rusty glass ancient beads - $60.US/each strand   (#1, #2, #3 & #5 are sold)
   AN327.  Glass ancient beads - $55.US/each strand   (all sold)
   AN328.  Yellow  glass ancient beads -  $45.US/each strand  (all sold)
   AN329.  These ancient black glass average about 14 inches in length.  Each strand has its own character.  They are perfect for showing off some very special ancient bead or pendant.   $35.US/each strand   (#3 & #4 are sold)
   AN330.   These three cast bronze pieces are fibulae or cloak pins from Staraya Ladoga in Russia, in the Saint Petersburg region.  These were brought by the Scandinavians Vikings around the end of the 9th century.  These would make interesting pendants.   $110.US/each. (#1 & #2 are sold)
   AN331.   There are 19 inches of beads on this necklace.  It needs to be restrung as they are much too tightly strung.  The crystal, carnelian and amethyst teardrops are ancient but the smaller amethysts do seem to be of this century.  It is an attractive group.  The central crystal pendant is slightly under 1 inch long.  $300.US.

   AN332.   This is a great Islamic glass bead with the typical waves of white against the black.  The bead measures 16cm in diamater and is 12cm tall.  $85.US.

   AN333.   I bought a collection of beads in the nineties - collected in medicine boxes from Chicago - the boxes being well over 50 years old with medical instructions written inside.  The beads of course, are much older.  On the outside of the box is written "blue glass beads - oxidized".  These blue beads are ancient - beautiful smooth blues, some transluscent and a couple with beige coloured coating on them from long burial.  The strand is short, just a little over 4 inches long but I think its best home is in a collection, not particularly strung up for wear.  $145.US.

   AN334.   These beads are from the same collection as above.  The label on the box describes them as "grey stone small beads".  There are two strands of beads.  One is 5 inches long and the other is 11 1/2 inches long.  I have the feeling that these beads were acquired on travels back in the late forties or early fifties.  It makes the most sense to me according to how they are packed and labelled.   $145.US.

   AN335.   Here is one more box of beads from the above collection.  On this box is written "Kudatamas".  These are ancient crystal beads from southeast Asia.  There are two strands.  The short strand in the box has 4 beads, the longest one a bit more than 3/4 inch, the shortest one 5/8 inch.  A tag is attached which says "ABC each" on one side and "J.K. 57 324" on the other.  It would be a true research project to understand the meaning of that.  The long strand is 7 inches in length.  Two beads have chips in them as you can see on the photo.  The other beads are in reasonable condition for their age and use.  They do look as if they had been excavated.  $155.US.
   AN279.   Here are three Roman buckle pieces.  They can be used as pendants but wrapping cord through the open part.  #1 is 1 1/8 inches tall - $18.US.   #2 is 1 3/4 inches tall - $25.US.   #3 is 1 1/4 inches tall and has three holed pieces at the back so that thread could pass through them for hanging. - $36.US.
   AN282.    These ancient round carnelians brought out of Afghanistan are quite lovely and would mix well with a variety of other beads, pendants, etc.  They are rich in colour.  These average around 17 inches in length.  $95.US/each strand.   (#1 & #5 are available)
   AN284.   Here are three strands of good sized carnelians.  The strands average about 17 inches in length and have a very good lively colour.  They have attractive pendants as well and would be great strung for wearing.   $135.US/each strand..   (#1 is sold)
   AN288.   This is a long (22 inch) strand of ancient blue and green beads from Afghanistan.  There is a 3 bead pendant at the center measuring 1 1/2 inches with the larger bead being just under 7/8 inch in diameter.  There is some wonderful opalescence on some of the beads and a coating from burial on others.  These are for a collector but can also be carefully worn.  $1200.US.
   AN290.   These mixed stone beads average about 19 inches in length and have a curious variety of beads - with some excellent ones hiding within the strands - $95.US/each strand    (#1 & #2 are available)
   AN291.   Mixed stone beads - $105.US/each strand  (#1 & #2 are available)
   AN294.   Ancient dark coloured lapiz strands.  #1 has 18 inches of beads plus a 1 inch long pendant.  - $135.US/each strand (#1 is available)
   AN295.   Black ancient glass - $45.US/each strand  (#1 & $3 are available)
   AN297.   This is the smallest and most delicate fibula that I have seen.  13/16 of an inch long and 3/8 of an inch wide, this contains 2.2 grams of high karat gold.  This piece dates about 2,000 years old and is Roman.  The piece is made with gold wire which changes width as it curves and curls and forms a graceful shape.  The hook of the fastener is wound slightly around the outer oval.  I imagine this would have been worn on a ribbon or holding a bundle of threads or cords in a very lovely way.  One could run a gentle silk ribbon through it, measuring from 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch in width.   $325.US. (sold)
   AN300.   15 inch long strand of ancient stone beads from Thailand - first dated from 3400BC and being made until about the 11th century AD.   $430.US.
   AN301.   9 inch long strand of ancient stone beads from Thailand - known to be made from very early times until about the 11th century AD.   $275.US.
   AN302.   These are the tiniest ancient (over 1000 yrs old) beads which I have ever had.  They are small and delicate turquoise and I can hardly imagine how difficult it was to make them.  They are all strung onto double strands of pale blue thread and have a variety of pendants ranging from shells, to glass, to stone, to bits of bronze.  $45.US/each strand.  3 strands/$120.US.   (#3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 16, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30 are available.)
   AN303.   Here are more tiny turquoise beads - described at Bactrian from the 2nd millenium B.C.  I don't know truly how old they are, except that they are definitely "ancient" and over 1000 years old.  #1 through #25 are $45.US/each strand.   3 strands/$120.US.    #26 to #31 are $50.US/each strand.   (#1, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 27, 30 are available)
   AN240.  These beautiful ancient striped agates were brought out of Afghanistan.  They would make delicate and wonderful necklaces - this one is just over 16 inches long, and needs to be restrung with a gold or silver clasp.  It has some lovely striped beads in front, and some softened facet ones running along the strand.  The 5/8 inch long central pendant on this one is actually glass (which took me by surprise as it is so natural looking), but very very old.  Quite lovely - $325.US.
   AN241.  This is a delicate and beautiful strand of ancient striped agate beads from Afghanistan.  There are three pale stones at the front, and richly coloured stones running around the 17" long necklace.  There are a number of soft facet beads as well, and they are among my favourites.  $325.US.
   AN242.   Here is one more gorgeous strand of ancient striped agate beads from Afghanistan.  It has three pendants at the front as well as the soft facet beads around the strand.  The necklace measures 17 inches long and is filled with tiny beads.   $325.US.
   AN271.   These are strands of ancient glass beads from the trade route passing through Djenne, Mali and are over 800 years old.  They are shades of deep aqua blue, and rich green.  The colours are intense when held against the light and quiet when lying still.  The strands average 21-22 inches in length.  $95.US/each strand.   (#1 is available)
   AN274.   This is a newly strung ancient Ottoman era pendant, hung onto new facet beads from India.  The necklace is 17 inches long with a 1 1/4 inch long pendant.  It is delicate and lovely.  $115.US.
   AN/EA698.   11 1/2 inches of ancient beads from Iran.  The largest central bead is 1 3/4 inches long.   $325.US.
   AN/EA709.   Item #1 is an ancient agate bead with hole going through and remains of ancient patterns.  $155.US.  There are also three ancient gaming pieces - tall domes with flat bottoms made of agate - very charming and sculptural...   #2 - 7/8 inches tall and 1 1/8 inch across - $135.US.   #3 - 7/8 inch tall and 1 inch across with dot in the middle of the flat bottom - $125.US.   #4 - 7/8 inch tall and 7/8 inch across - $115.US.  They are fascinating to look into and to hold against a light.  They look very good in a display  case.
   AN245.   These strands of ancient glass beads were gathered in Djenne, Mali and are 800+ years old.  The beads have a good texture to them (sometimes they are dry and damaged) and have good rich colours - nicer than the scan shows of course...   The strands average 22-23 inches in length.     - $88.US/each strand  (#3 & #4 are available)
   AN248.   Black glass, large strand $85.US, small strands $65.US. (#2 & #3 are available)
   AN249.   Ancient blue glass brought out of Afghanistan - $65.US/each strand.   (#5 is available)
   AN250.   Ancient green glass beads brought out of Afghanistan - $65.US/each strand.   (#5 is available)
   AN236.   These ancient glass beads were brought out of Afghanistan.  A few of the beads have gold within them brightening them up.  There are many modern imitations of these beads, but the ones here are true ones.  Each strand has a few gold beads from modern Afghanistan, made in the same way as the old ones were.  A tarrish substance is shaped and then covered with thin gold sheet to make a covering for the beads.  They have a great look to them.  Strand #1 is 20 inches long - $220.US.  Strand #2 is 18 inches long and has a gorgeous gold lined bead on it - visible on the right hand side of the enlargement.   $220.US.
  AN209.   Blue and green ancient glass beads are often a favourite.  These were bought in Afghanistan which was an industrial hot spot for beads well over a thousand years ago.  They average 16+ inches long, plenty for a necklace.  - $65.US/each strand.   (all are sold)
   AN218.   the three strands here are very unusual - ancient amazonite beads (with perhaps another object tucked in here and there) that came from the Indus-Harpa area and are thousands of years old.  The two oval strands are quite whitened with chemical reactions that it takes many years to produce.  You can still see the natural tone of the amazonite glowing lightly from beneath.  I know that they could be cleaned but that is a delicate and dangerous process that would take away the proof of their age.  I think these are fascinating.  Strand #1 is 18 inches long.  $150.US.  Strand #2 is $150.US as well.   Strand #3 is 20 inches long and full of discs of stone.  You can see more of the amazonite colour on these beads though a good deal of the surface has also been whitened with age and burial.  $250.US.  (#1 is available)
   AN188.  This is an attractive collection of ancient carnelian beads coming out of Thailand.  There are a few shapes of beads other than round - some flattened ones, and some facet beads.  They have been separated by newish red glass beads.   $60.US/each strand (#3 is available)
   AN189.  This is an attractive collection of ancient carnelian beads coming out of Thailand.  There are a few shapes of beads other than round - some flattened ones, and some facet beads.  They have been separated by newish red glass beads.   $60.US/each strand (#2 & #4 are available)
   AN190.   These are tiny silver coins, all less than 1/2 inch across.  You can see the images better in real life than on the scans.  All of the coins that I sell were holed in their own times, generally to be used in ancient jewellery...  Most of this selection is Greek and the artistry of the designers shows well in the coins.  #1 is from Macedon, Eion.  It is a silver Trihemiobol c. 480BC.  On one side it has a goose with its head turned back and a lizard laid above it.  On the back is an incuse square.  $40.US.    #2 is Hellenistic from the Carian Islands of Rhodes.  It is a hemidrachm dating from 408-394BC.  One one side it has the radiate head of Helios and on the other side, a rose.  The head of Helios lies on its side because of where the stringing hole is, and is very easy to see in real life - though confusing on the scan.  $75.US.  (sold)    #3 is from Macedonia, Neapolis.  It is a hemidrachm dating from 411-348BC.  On one side is a Gorgon head facing forward, and on the reverse is the laureate head of Artemis.  $75.US.    Coins #4 through #8 are from Thasos, and many used to be used strung together to make necklaces in ancient times.  They were about partying and about drinking.  The coins date from about 411-350BC and each show a Satyr kneeling and holding Kantharos which is a two handles drinking cup.  The reverse shows an Amphora which would be filled with wine.  The prices are:  #4 - $65.US,   #5 - $65.US  (sold),   #6 - $50.US,   #7 - $40.US,   #8 - $30.US  (sold). (#6 is available)
   AN198.   Here is a collection of 6 bronze Byzantine coins. They are all "cupped", some more than others and have images to do with Christ, Mary and current emperors.  The dates range from the 10th to the 11th century - and all of the coins come with identification of imagery and years.  These coins are not holed.   $85.US for the collection.
   AN199.   These four coins come from the East and are all over 1000 years old.  The first 3 have holes in them, but the fourth one doesn't.  It would be quite beautiful suspended in silver though and used as a pendant.  All of the coins come with full descriptions.    #1. is a silver dirham citing Amin as heir.  It is about Abbasid Caliphate Harum al Rashid  of "one thousand and one night"s fame.  AH183.  $32.US.    #2. is a silver dirham from the days of Abbesid Caliphate, Medinat es Salaam from 908-932AD.  $15.US.    #3 is a silver dirham from Abbesid Caliphate, Medinat es Salaam from 908-932AD.  $15.US.    #4 (unholed) is a silver dirham of Modinat Samarkand "Al-Mashriq" the East "Dhu-al-Riasatayn" al-Mamun 194-218AH.  $45.US. (#4 is available)
 
 

	AN096.   Four strands of "bracelet beads" are illustrated here.  Fragments of Phoenician glass, they have recently been cut into bead lengths and drilled with holes.  You can see that the holes are quite large judging by the stringing thread going through them...  These are quite a bargain for ancient glass with a bit of colour to it...  Averaging 18 inches in length, only one strand has a pendant bead, and these are attractive though not quite as colourful as AN093. $90.US/each strand   (#B & #C are available)
	AN078.   There are two strands here of ancient glass gold coloured beads.  I am wondering if gold was actually added to the glass to create the colour.  They were purchased in the mid-East but could have been manufactured anywhere from Egypt across to Iran.  They most probably date to approximately 100 B.C.   These long tubular beads have been pulled or drawn into their elongated shape.  some have been twisted slightly as well so that you can see the air bubbles stretched out.  These are a wonderful rich variety of golds which range from transparent to translucent to opaque.  They have a wonderful high pitched shimmery sound when they rattle together. I would suggest stringing these with soft knots between the beads to avoid any chips or damage as they are in amazingly good condition.  The strands are 27 - 28 inches long.  Wonderful and wearable.  $245.US/strand (#1 is sold)
	AN042.   This Ottoman Empire bronze buckle was made and worn in the XVIII Century and found in the area of the Lower Danube River...  It is a cast piece, has an attractive brown patina evenly layered on it and is fully wearable (though I would take care to preserve the patina since it was created by centuries of burial and the subsequent interaction of chemicals & minerals both in the soil and in the metal)...  7/8 inch across.  (sold) The other piece illustrated here is an oval glass cabochon manufactured in the Byzantine era and was set in a bronze mounting.  It too, was found on the Lower Danube, is well patinated and has a lovely decorative border.  This could be mounted as a pin or ring or collected as an antiquity...  3/4 inch long...  $35.US
	AN043.   There are three Byzantine bronze pieces illustrated here.  They are all buckle bits or strap ends or bits to decorate leather, though any of the three could be used as pendants...  These pieces all were found in the Balkans where farmers find objects many centuries old while plowing their fields...  They are all beautifully patinated and distinctively detailed.  I illustrate the fronts and backs so that you can have an idea of the hefty 3 dimensional design of these objects...  The piece on the left is 1 1/4" across...  $42.US each.  (middle piece is available)
	AN037.  Illustrated, are five glass bracelets.  These are ancient Roman  - remarkable in their ability to survive close to two thousand years of burial...  They are different sizes ranging from that of a baby to a slim wristed teenager or adult.  These should no longer be worn as glass is terribly fragile to begin with, and are purely collector's pieces...  All of the bracelets have some iridescence and the baby bracelet (1 3/8" in diameter) is covered with quite a lot of lovely pale pastel colours over the bright turquoise of the bracelet itself.  The largest bracelet (2 1/4" in diameter) is a pale watery green blue with little spots of shimmer.  Of the two blackish bracelets, one is actually a rich brown amber colour when held to the light.  The beautiful sea green bracelet is 2" across and flecked with iridescence as well.  Do not immerse in water or wash as the iridescent film could be easily damaged...  Rare and beautiful.  $75.US each. (black one on bottom right is only one remaining - on sale for $50.US)
	AN004.  The centerpiece of this contemporary necklace is a bronze piece of a roman lock plate.  It has a rich patina and concentric circles inscribes on the front.  The plaque is about 2" square and is complimented by 18" of facet garnets--again, hand cut in India, where methods of stone cutting have not changed since ancient days.  (the purple glare is caused by the scanner-the garnets are a normal garnet colour)  $145.US.
	AN012.  These two stone amulets are both from Iran and probably both are from the same period...  They are carved to imitate metal amulets which held holy verses within them, but naturally these amulets hold mostly symbolic values...   The top amulet is grey stone with two sets of tiny holes for stringing. I cleaned the earth out of them (from excavation) and found that tiger tail or a thin nylon will go through quite easily...  The lower amulet is white stone/or quartz and was probably broken far back in time, and the silver band soldered around it to preserve the piece.  The labour alone in cutting an amulet from such a hard stone made them valued highly... (see Beads of the World, p.80)  amulet 1a.(top)$45.US.  amulet 1b.(bottom is sold)$60.US..

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