The Ancient World...
The ancient world was far flung and full of mysteries, legends, adventures, romances, and battles won and lost...  and eons later we are still excavating the reminders of those times...  All the antiquities listed below are guaranteed to be authentic, and dated as best as we possibly can... and please remember to hit "reload" each time you visit the page...
 Reference books cited here are:
"the History of Beads:  from 30,000 B.C. to the Present" by Lois Sherr Dubin
"Beads of the World" by Peter Francis
"Collectible Beads:  a Universal Aesthetic" by Robert K. Liu
"Magical Ancient Beads" by Jamey D. Allen

   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. (#2 is available)
   AN311.   There are two strands of ancient faience beads here - with the beads on the strand measuring about 20 inches around plus pendants.  These beads are in excellent condition and show a large variety of styles from the same period.  You can see a few similar ones on pages 104 and 105 of "Collectible Beads".  Robert Liu places them as originating in Iran.  They are hand formed in various shapes and then cut with a knife like tool to create patterns.  Ones in this condition are becoming more and more rare.  - $500.US/each    (#1 is available)
   AN312.   There are 22 inches of beads on this strand - the larger carved ones being shell, and the background beads being glass.  The shell beads are ancient, and the glass beads are from the last 100 years or so.  I love looking at the individuality of each bead.  The patterns had spiritual meaning so it is a good thing that they still exist.  The strand has a cotton string holding the beads so can be worn as is, or they can be restrung to have a clasp.  The entire strand with string included is 30 inches long.  $600.US.
   AN314.   What a great collection of shapes and creatures.  They are made from stone, metal and glass.  All of the objects are ancient crossing a few cultures including Byzantine, Islamic, and Roman.  It would be interesting to research and place the origin of as many items as possible.  The white background beads are less than 100 years old.  The beads cover over 20 inches of the strand and the central stone pendant is 1 3/8 inches long.      $600.US.
   AN320.   $115.US/each strand.    (#1 is available)
   AN334.   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.  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. 
ancient Roman ring   
AN336.  This ancient Roman ring is about a size 4 but not really for wearing.  It has a tiny carved seal within it - a profile portrait against clear glass.  It is amazingly small about 5/16 inch long.  This is an amazing piece for a collection.  I haven't done anything to try to clean the ring itself but it seems to be bronze.  $195.US.
ancient carnelian strands   AN337.   There are three different and interesting strands of ancient carnelian beads here.  Strand #1 has 13 inches of a variety of shapes and ages of ancient carnelians as well as a fat bead which is 1 3/8 inches across at its widest.  It is a gorgeous worn ancient bead with clouds of white coating on it formed from years of burial.  That bead can easily be over 2000 years old.  It is a very impressive strand which only needs a few spacer beads or beads at the back to make a necklace.  $425.US.   The next strand of beads #2 - are Bactrian.  There are the typical disc beads, and round beads with the strand measuring a little over 10 inches long.  The central bead is the type that would be carved at the end and used as a seal.  This one is smooth and 3/4 inch tall.  $310.US.   Strand #3 consists of fine, delicate, tubular ancient carnelians with a few odd shapes thrown in - almost 20 inches long.  $250.US.  The strands all came from the mid-East from a Persian dealer. 
Islamic glass bead    AN338.   Here is a beautiful oval flattened Islamic beads.  The swirls of black and white are quite traditional, made with a fine glass and nicely smoothed over time.  From the side as shown in the photo above the bead is almost 3/4 inches tall and 7/8 inch wide.  The bead is 3/8 inch thick with a good sized hole going through it  - it could sit on a cord.   I acquired this from a Persian dealer who generally sells coins from the area.   $155.US.  
ancient brass bead    AN339.   This patitinated brass bead was dug up in Bulgaria.  There is still a little dirt inside.   The bead is 1 inch long and 1/2 inch in diameter.  It has an attractive smooth finish to it and could be the centerpiece of a simple necklace or strung onto a cord.  The bead is definitely over 1000 years old but I can't date it any more accurately than that.   $45.US.
ancient Islamic glass bead    AN341.  This Islamic bead from the Iran area is recently excavated.  It is not fully cleaned as you can see on the photo.  The local museum glass curator suggests that dirt be carefully brushed off but that ancient beads should not be washed.  The bead has clear white raised trails on it and the dark base of the bead has some glistening colour from age peeking through.  The bead is slightly longer than 7/8 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter.  It is a good clear example.   $195.US.
ancient Iran faience bead    AN342.   This fat holed faience bead is 7/8 inch across and 3/8 inch tall.  It is from the Persia/Iran area.   $35.US.

FOR THE COINS BELOW - IF YOU SEE THE PREVIEW SQUARE AT 1 1/4 INCHES TALL, THEN YOU WILL SEE THE COINS AT LIFE SIZE.  THE SECONDARY IMAGE IS AN ENLARGEMENT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THE DETAILS
ancient silver coinancient    AN345.   This silver coin is covered with stamps set with a hot iron, one at a time.  They all have meanings and there are books in research libraries which illustrate them.  The coin is from India - the Karshapana Period of Ashoka - Mauryan Bindusdra.  C.272-232BC.   $55.US.
ancient silver coin    AN346.   This silver drachm is from India.  Guptas, Skandagupta  C. AD455-480.  There is a profile on the obverse and a complex design on the revers  $32.US.
ancient silver coinancie    AN351.   This is a silver Venetian grosso of the Doge Giovanni Dandalo.  AD1280-1289.  On the obverse is Christ enthroned and on the reverse is the Doge and St. Mark Papadopoli.   $50.US.  
mixed ancient bead necklace
   AN358.   This 15 inch long necklace is a combination of different ancient and antique beads with modern silver spacers.  There are some interesting beads to spend time with...   $220.US.
ancient pendant   AN359.   Here is a modern strand of facet tourmaline beads with an ancient Medeival pendant.  It is made of bronze, has a coating of patina from the long years of its life and an ancient glass cabochon in the middle.  The pendant is 1 1/2 inches wide.  The necklace is 16 inches long.   $185.US.
ancient beads  AN360.   Here is a marvellous strand of beads from the Iran or the area nearby.  The necklace is 22 inches long (no clasp, just knotted shut) with 15 1/2 inches of beads on it plus pendant.  The pendant is 1 1/4 inches long.  The necklace beads are mostly ancient turquoise with one small etched agate and four small beads that appear to be gold.  There are two small winged beads as well.  The pendant has a gorgeous skinny agate just under 7/8 inch long, then a slim flat square of nicely coloured agate, and then a wrought metal bead which I am told has a percentage of gold in it.  The metals have not been tested but are certainly ancient beads.  This is quite delicate and beautiful.  $420.US.
ring with Constantinius II  AN361.   This is a beautifully made silver ring with an ancient coin as its centerpiece.  The coin is of Constantius II, Flavius Iulius Constantius minted in the 4th century A.D.  He was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Battle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  The ring is 1 1/8 inch across from top to bottom in the image, and the coin is just under 5/8 inch across.  The ring is a size 8.   $75.US.
ring with Constantinius II coin   AN362.  
This is a beautifully made silver ring with an ancient coin as its centerpiece.  The coin is of Constantius II, Flavius Iulius Constantius minted in the 4th century A.D.  He was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Battle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  The ring is a little more than 1 1/8 inch across from the top to the bottom of the image, and the coin is just under 5/8 inch across.  The ring is a size 7.5.   $75.US.
ring with Constantine the Great coin  AN366.   This is a simple and attractive silver ring with an ancient coin as its centerpiece.  The coin is of Constantine the Great - Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus from 306-337 A.D.   Constantine was best known for being the first Christian Roman Emperor.  In 324 Constantine announced his decision to transform Byzantium into Nova Roma and on May 11, 330 he officially proclaimed the city the new capital of the Roman Empire.  The city was renamed Constantinople, the City of Constantine after Constantine's death in 337.  It would remain the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years.  The coin is about 13/16 inch across and a size 9.5.   $105.US.
ring with Constantinius II coin   AN367.  
This is a beautifully made silver ring with an ancient coin as its centerpiece.  The coin is of Constantius II, Flavius Iulius Constantius minted in the 4th century A.D.  He was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Battle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  The coin is just over 5/8 inch across.  The ring is a size 7.   $80.US.
ring with Constantinius II coin   AN368.   This is a beautifully made silver ring with an ancient coin as its centerpiece.  The coin is of Constantius II, Flavius Iulius Constantius minted in the 4th century A.D.  He was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Battle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  The coin is just under 5/8 inch across.  You can see both sides of the ring.  The ring is a size 8.5.   $65.US.
ring with Constantinius II coin   AN372.   This is a beautifully made silver ring with an ancient coin as its centerpiece.  The coin is of Constantius II, Flavius Iulius Constantius minted in the 4th century A.D.   He was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Battle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  The coin is just over 11/16 inch across.  The ring is a size 8.   $70.US.
ancient brass & glass fibula  AN374.   Here is a wonderful ancient fibula set with a blue glass stone.  It comes from the Viking material found in Staraya Ladoga in Russia, in the Saint Petersburg region.  It is strong enough to be used as a fibula but I would be careful not wanting it to bang against anything as there is a certain delicacy to items so old.  The blue glass is set in very well with some decorative metal work around it.  The piece is 2 3/8 inches across and the pin is 2 3/4 inches across.   $225.US.  
pendant with Winged Victory coin    AN378.   This silver pendant has a bronze coin of the Winged Victory as a centerpiece.  In Roman mythology Victoria was the personification/Goddess of Victory.  She is the Roman version of the Greek goddess Nike.  Unlike the Greek Nike, Victoria was a major part of Roman society.  Multiple temples were erected in her honour and a vast cult existed for hundreds of years worshipping her.  When her statue was removed in 382 C.E. by emperor Gratianus there was much anger in Rome.  She was often worshipped by triumphant generals returning from war.  The coin is 3/4 inch across and the entire piece from top of pendant to bottom of coin is 1 5/16 inches tall.   $70.US.  
THERE ARE MORE COIN PIECES FURTHER BELOW AS WELL....
chung dzi bead   AN380.   Here is a very sweet 1 3/4 inch long chung zi bead (also known as a dzi or gzi bead).   For an excellent and affordable article on Tibetan Zi beads written by the researcher Jamey D. Allen please get a copy of "Arts of Asia" Vol.32 No.4.  There are some excellent photographs of an interesting variety of zi beads as well as Jamey's overview.  These beads are thought to have a magical aspect to them.  It is a mystery as to how they were created and as to whether they fell from skies or were unearthed between the rocks.  Good zis are ancient and made of agate like this one.  These beads are highly respected by the Tibetans (and by zi collectors alike) and are worn as a protective ornament.  These beads were "etched" or coloured to give them their decoration.  There are more complex ones with different names having zig zags or or circles on them.  Myself, I love the chung zis with their simple bands on them.  This bead has a couple of old chips in it that you can see on the photo.  They are nicely worn and simply part of the life of the beads.   $800.US.
ancient glass beads  AN381.   Here is an unusual strand of cone shaped ancient glass beads.  I haven't had beads like this before - they have quite large holes, generally between 1/8 and 1/4 inch across.  The yellow cone in the preview image on the left has a diameter of just under 1 inch and is 3/8 inch tall.  The strand is 18 inches long.  The pinkish smooth bead is stone, and most of the spacers are ancient as well.  These beads would be Roman period or older.  They show the textured finish of ancient glass that had been buried.   $550.US.
ancient stone beads  
AN384.   Here are three stone spindle whorls carved in ancient times found in Anatolia.  The largest one is 1 1/8 inches across.  They can easily be used as beads.  The three beads are part of a collection and will be sold together for $225.US.
ancient stone beads   AN385.   This is a group of ten Neolithic stone beads similar to the ones in the inside cover of "the History of Beads" coming out of Anatolia.  They are thousands of years old.  The group of ten beads is being sold as a collection - it was acquired in the early nineties with the help of ancient coin dealers.  Each bead is significantly different from each other so quite museum like when viewed.  The largest bead is a flat oval one 1 1/2 inches long and 7/8 inches wide.  Some of the beads have patterning on them and the very smallest is a seal bead with a branch like design on it.  These feel very smoothed having been touched for many years before they wound up being buried.  There are even wear marks on the stone bead holes.   $1200.US/the collection.
2 bronze Celtic beads   AN386.   These two Celtic beads are sold together.  The image is enlarged - the beads are actually just over 3/8 inch across and one is a little thicker than the other, both having a single hole going through.  The beads have the typical circle patterns on them (on both sides) and are made of bronze.  They each have a different shade of green tarnish to them.   They could easily be used to make a pair of earrings.  It is hard to date them but a few hundred years is certain.   $120.US/pair
ancient seal bead   AN387.   This is an ancient pale carnelian Neo-Assyrian cylinder seal.  It portrays Ishtar, the sun goddess, in her starry radiance--standing surrounded by a nimbus of stars and wearing a horned miter.  Her long robe is open in front revealing a short, bordered garment.  A worshipper in a long fringed garment points to the goddess with his right hand and holds his left palm upward.  Behind the goddess is a naked scorpion man wearing a miter.  His hands are raised up, possibly to support the winged disc (symbol of the sun) above him.  In the field are a crescent and eight globes. The scorpion man (of the constellation Scorpio), in supporting the winged disc, illustrates his super human and protective nature.  The worshipper may be a Neo-Assyrian king of the 9th or 8th century B.C., the period when this drilled style was favoured in Assyria.  This seal was worn strung around the neck as a bead. 1 1/16" long.    $1100.US
ancient metal seal bead   AN388.   This is a small rectangular seal bead, and I do mean "small".  It is 7/16 inches long, 3/8 inch wide and 5/16 inches tall.  It is lightly crusted with a patination, and age has made the patterns look quite vague.  I believe that the larger images are figures of people judging by the moulded image, but I don't know.   $65.US.
mix of glass beads   AN389.   These two strands of beads were put together by the same bead artist with beads that all look excellent together.  (unfortunately they are on fishing line and need restringing with nice clasps as well)  I did not want to separate them and will only sell them as a pair.  The central bead of the top strand is a "morfia" made between the 9th and 11th centuries possibly in Fustat, Egypt (5/8 inch long - 15mm - and 5/8 inch in diameter).  The beads were made of twisted polychrome glass rods.  These beads are highly prized in Mauritania constantly increasing in value.  The bead has 4 pitted holes on it - you can see two in the image to the left.  The other two are quite small - and even including that, this bead is in much better condition than many.  On that same strand are feather beads, then two yellow Islamic eye beads. They are in excellent condition, one being very colourful with red and turquoise "suns".  The next major beads are green oval Venetians with gold stripes and squiggles on them.  They are lightly worn so that the gold has faded a little.  After that is a range of Venetians in mixed condition, with gold/glass beads between, some ancient and some a hundred or so years old.  The green cornerless cubes are rather nice as well.  The back beads on the strand are ancient faience from Egypt.   On the lower strand is another oval Venetian with gold (13/16 inch long), millefiores from the twenties or so, spotted Venetians and more cornerless cubes.  The spacer beads are a mix of faience and glass which all seems to be ancient.   Strand #1 - 24 inches long.   Strand #2 - 22 inches long.      $750.US./for both strands sold together.
Sassanian seal beads   AN390.   I have a group of 14 Sassanian bead seals here.  They are very tricky as they are often imitated.  There are three on this strand that I have doubts about and they are different sizes but have essentially the same shape.  If you count the beads from the top of the strand in the first photo, those beads are #4, #8 and #9.  The rest of the beads look good.  Bead #3 is quite smoothed over and an image cannot be seen, #12 has no flat side or image, and #13 and #14 just have the vaguest memories of an image.  This is a great collection though and could be the focus of a cream & caramel coloured necklace.  $1250.US.
ancient squash beads   AN391.   Here are nine ancient beads from the Roman period - in beautiful shades of turquoise and green.  They are all made of glass with the same technique pressing into the side of the hot glass over and over to make this shape.  The strand is 3 7/8 inches long.  The largest bead is 5/8 inch in diameter.   $350.US.
ancient pendant   AN392.   This is a rather wonderful Byzantine pendant.  I had cast copies of it for sale in the past but this is the original that I took a mould from.  The brass pendant (the surface is lightly coloured by time) is 1 3/4 inches tall and has a very graceful shape.  There are two loops at the top for stringing.  The piece is in excellent condition.   $180.US.
ancient pendant   AN393.   This bronze piece is probably an Islamic design (over 800 years old) that was probably originally some kind of belt ornament.  I has a very gentle curve to it, and graceful cut-outs.  There are no hanging loops but the top cut-outs can be used to put a cord through.  The piece is just under 1 7/8 inches across and 1 5/8 inches tall.  It has a great dark green patina to it - I do like to protect patinas by careful wear.   $150.US.
ancient metal pendants   AN394.   There are four pieces here.  #1 is a stamped bronze piece 1 3/8 inches tall with an interesting floral design on it.  It has no way to fasten it, but a piece could be glued against the back, perhaps a panel that allows a string to pass behind it.   $30.US.   #2 is the end of a Byzantine belt - the photo is of the rougher side, the other side is quite perfect.  The ending that the leather belt would be inserted into is open so that a thick ribbon or leather piece could be used again.  The piece is 1 5/8 inches tall and has a beautiful dark green patina to it.   $135.US.   #3 is a very typical Byzantine cross.  It seems that a zillion of these were made out of bronze in the 8th to 10th centuries--all with the same circles in the center and on the arms of each cross...  They are so similar that they could have almost been made from the same one mold - and were popular with a large proportion of people living then.   $150.US.   #4 is some kind of fitting that I can't quite decide on.  It has a beautiful pale green patina, is a little over 1 3/8 inches tall, has 4 stringing holes, and is flat on the back.   $65.US.   (#1 & #4 are sold)
ancient thimble   AN395.   Here is a bronze Medeival thimble.  It is open at the top and at the bottom so interesting as beads could pass through it.  The piece is 11/16 inches tall.  I like the way the texture has been made by pin points in an interesting pattern.  One can use it in jewellery or one can use it as a thimble like it was used in the past.   $45.US.
ancient glass rings   AN398.   These are three ancient glass rings.  I would not trust them for wearing unless one was very very careful.  After all glass is glass...   they are beautiful to sit in a collection though.  The green and the blue each have a flat "eye: shape at the front, and the yellow one has a glass knob as decoration.  The yellow one is 7/8 inch across.  The three are sold together.   $145.US.
ancient glass beads   AN399.   Here is a small collection of small ancient beads, all 1000 years or older.  When lined up they measure 3 1/8 inches long with the largest (pulled stripes) being 1/2 inch long.  There is a nice mosaic bead of brick red and white, as well as eye beads.   $250.US.
ancient glass beads   AN400.   This strand of ancient Roman horned eye glass beads were excavated in the area of the Black Sea in Europe.  Most of the beads are blue, a few have dark red cores.  The eyes are mostly yellow with blue or green central spots on them.  A few are whitish from the devitrification of the buried glass.  These beads probably date to 200BC or so.  When I acquired the beads I took a chance and cleaned them as they were fully white - and I managed to clean much of that surface colouration off.  There are 13 inches of beads and would be best strung on a natural cord with knots between the beads to protect them.  The largest beads are 5/16 of an inch or so in diameter.    $1200.US.   (on hold)
Ancient folded beads from Egypt   AN401.   This is a rather wonderful group of ancient Egyptian Islamic folded beads - you can see where the folds meet.  They are a perfect watery colour of blue.  Most of them had a coating on them from long burial but a reasonable amount of it has been cleaned off.  One of the beads has a little bit of a checkerboard pattern on it which must have been created when it laid against a piece of fabric for hundreds of years.  The larger bead on this strand is 5/8 inch in diameter and the smallest is 1/4 inch in diameter.  They add up to 8 1/2 inches in length.  These beads are very unusual and very collectible.   $600.US.
ancient bronze rings   AN403.   I have a series of ancient rings (almost all are bronze) which I collected 20 years ago or so.  They are wearable with one thing to keep in mind.  If they are worn often the patina (a coloured coating building up on the ring over many years) will wear down and the metal itself will show again.  It is best to maintain the patina as part of the history of the piece.  
Ring #1 has a nice dark green patina on it.  It has a very graceful Islamic shape to it with an "eye" shaped decoration at the front.  I like its grace and simplicity.  size 8.5   $185.US.    Ring #2 has a wide, flat top on it that has no decorations other than a simple dashed line around the edge of the oval.  behind that is a ridge which has small lines cut into it, almost like a shallow ruffle.  On the side of the oval which lies against the finger are lines radiating outwards from the center of the oval.  It is quite perfect.  size 8.5  $165.US.   Ring #3 is also made of bronze with a dark green patina.  It is a Byzantine piece with an attractive design on the front that makes me think of a star image.  It could have been used to sign documents on wax.  size 8.5   $165.US.
ancient bronze rings   AN404.   There are three more rings here, each of a distinctive style.  Ring #1 has a thick and well decorated band.  There are small bits of etching, relief and design all around the band culminating in a sprue decorated with a few diagonal lines.  The bezel of the ring is flower shaped and has a cross type design impressed into it with an engraver's tool. 
This was a silver woman's ring, probably Islamic, from the 11th Century or so.  size 6   $165.US.   Ring #2 is an eye ring - worn in Islamic countries to ward away evil.  This ring has an eye shaped bezel which has an etched design within the eye, which looks sort of like Arabic script, but isn't really.  It is probably a design that was originally derived from the decorative aspect of script...  There are also some lines of etching to each side of the center eye, and the low sprue in the back is decorated with a series of vertical lines.  size 8.5   $165.US.   #3 is very unusual Roman ring.  The cabochon is glass I believe (though it could be a pale peach/pink stone) with the image of a cow or steer on it.  Above that is written:  COS VII (a latin inscription).  Someone very knowledgeable in ancient coinage explained to me "The inscription COS VII means that the owner (could be an emperor) was consul 7 times. "COS" is short for consul. The consulship during the Republic was the highest office in the Roman world. (The appt. was only for 1 year to maintain checks and balances).  size 11   $250.US.
ancient bronze rings   AN405.   There are two ancient rings here.  #1 is a flanged ring typical of early Roman ones.  The catalog of the British Museum collection of ancient rings illustrates a few similar types--often cast in gold, but also in silver and bronze.  This ring fits beautifully on one of the smallest finger of a woman's hand, and is surprisingly very comfortable.  It has a simple design carved into the circular bezel, which may be a very abstraced portrait. I would place this ring around the 3rd Century A.D.  size 5.   $195.US.   #2 is quite interesting in its construction.  It has a raised opening where a stone must have sat over a thousand years ago.  One could fasten in a correctly sized round cabochon.  I don't know what the hole across the ring is for, but think it looks great.  size 7   $110.US.
ancient bronze rings   AN406.   Ring #1 is bronze with the original blue glass stone sitting in it.  size 5.5   $95.US.   #2 is a bronze ring with a brown patina on it.  It has a centerpiece of a blue glass stone with an image carved into it.  It is too worn though to see what was pictured there.  The ring is oval so difficult to measure exactly.  approximately size 5.5   $125.US.   #3 is a silver oval ring - very traditional in Roman times - with a clear image of a standing figure carved into the red oval cabochon.  It is very tiny with an opening at the back and a size 3 or so.   $110.US.
ancient bronze rings   AN407.   #1 is an ancient ring with a floral design on it.  It has a crack across the back so is not in perfect condition - and is a size 6.5   $35.US.   #2 is a very perfect ring - it looks simple from the photo but it has a very beautiful image carved into the round front to be used as a seal.  It has a wonderful creature with lots of detail on it - it looks like a crouched lion with a mane and something over its head.  I have to copy the image and enlarge it to be able to see it more clearly.  size 5.5  $245.US.      #3 is a tiny and delicate ring.  It has a small 3 step pyramid on the top which is funnily enough a little crooked...  so when you look at it from the top it is not exactly square, but very slightly tilted to the diagonal...  it gives it a sweet and quirky look.  This originally bronze ring is probably late Roman or early Byzantine--we'll say from the 5th to 7th Century A.D.  size 8   $45.US.
ancient bronze ring   AN408.   This is a heavy bronze ring made for one of the smaller fingers of a man's hand...  It has a dark green patination but one can see the brass underneath at corners.  There is some delicate etching around the bezel, and a simple pattern on the top, of two swirls meeting...  probably symbolizing harmony, balance, and perhaps infinity. The back of the ring where the original sprue was (the channel where the molten metal was poured into the original mold of the ring) still has a low remnant of the sprue which has been shaped and carved with a flower design.  This ring is a very collectible piece.  size 9.5   $350.US.
ancient bronze ring   AN409.   This is rather an amazingly shaped ring - the scalloped shape of it is very unusual and I think with the the short bar at the bottom it was made to be used as a pendant (a cord could be tied there) as well as a ring.  The 1/4 inch tall section has a seal carved into it.  In the ancient days distinctive seal images (this one is a small bird with large feet, and three dots under it...) were important as signatures in the signing of documents.     size 7.5    $250.US.
Byzantine cross   AN410.   This Byzantine cross from Bulgaria has only one hinge attached to the top portion of the cross so can't be hung upright as is unless you can attach something to the broken hinge - it does have two secure loops at the opposite end.  This would normally have been only the front half of the cross.  The hinge at the bottom would have attached the front to a nearly identical (but undecorated) back piece.  The loops at the top would have interlocked so that when a cord was passed through, the two sides would remain closed.  Inside this reliquary cross a pilgrim or a religious devotee would have placed items of devotional and spiritual importance.  These crosses are found broken more often than not, and continued to be highly valued and still worn in that state...  2 1/2" high   $350.US.  
ancient beads from Mitanni   AN411.   These four beads are extremely rare.  They have been identified by an expert in the field as being ancient beads from Mitanni.  This was a state in Northern Syria dating from 1500BC to 1300BC so this is among the earliest glass.  Trade routes passed through the area and many items passed through.  Necklaces were popular during that period with glass, gems and stones.  The tallest bead is a little over 1 1/4 inches tall.  It has an old cut in it that you can see in the photo and a little chipping around the bead holes.  The second bead has an old chip which you can see on the photo.  The smallest bead is 15/16 inches tall and in excellent condition.  The last bead has a chip at one end and some irridescence has formed there many many years ago.  I have photographed the beads with the damaged sides showing (even though it is old damage and part of the history of the beads) - the other sides have no problems.  The group of 4 beads is  $500.US.
ancient faience   AN412.   Here is a very delicate, very beautiful, with intricate beads - strand of ancient faience from Iran.  The colours are pale and interesting and a lot of the beads have cross-hatching, lines, dots or dashes on them.  The pendant is 1 1/4 inches long and there are 17 1/2 inches of beads.  The string is 23 inches long so some people can slip it over their head.  You can see the same type of faience on page 105 of "Collectible Beads".   $480.US.  
ancient bronze pendants   AN413.   These ancient bronze pieces had a function that I am not sure of.  They look as if they were stitched onto something like a horse harness to be decorative but I am only guessing.  They would make great pendants though, worn carefully so that the age-old patina doesn't wear off too much.  They each have a stringing hole at both the top and the bottom.  Pendant #1 has a lightly curved surface and a very attractive decorative pattern on it.  It is just under 1 7/8 inches tall.   $45.US.   Pendant #2 has a very open shape.  It is also a little under 1 7/8 inches tall.   $35.US.    (both sold)
Islamic crystal etched beads   AN414.   This is quite an astounding strand of Islamic crystal beads smoothed out in natural shapes.  When you first see them you do not notice the amazing part about them - that 6 of the beads have an oval etched into them filled with Islamic script.  You have to examine them and tilt them against the light to see, as the crystal is full of light and concentrating on the etched lines is difficult.  When you learn to focus on them though, they are easier to see.  The writing is in an oval that is 5/8 inch across or smaller.  I don't know how old these beads are as I have never seen any like them.  I will start by assuming that they are over 500 years old though as they do have signs of age.  These stayed in my collection for quite a long time.  Some of the photos came out pinkish but they are clear crystal with a bit of brown in holes and on rougher parts.  15 inches long with contemporary silver spacers and clasp.   $1400.US.

THE ROMAN BRONZE COINS FEATURED IN THE JEWELRY PIECES BELOW ARE MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE IN REALITY THAN IN THE PHOTOS.  I DO HAVE SOME DIFFICULTY IN GETTING GOOD CLOSE-UPS OF SUCH DARK OBJECTS.  THEY ARE MORE DISTINCT AND PLEASING AND LOOK PERFECT IN THEIR SETTINGS...
  AN415.  
This silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantius II (Flavius Julius Constantius - Caesar, 323-337;  Augustus, 337 - 361 AD).  Constantius was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Gattle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  Constantius took an active part in the affairs of the Christian church, he is not remembered as a restorer of unity, but as a heretic who arbitrarily imposed his will on the church.  Size 9.5.   $68.US.
  AN416.   This silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantine the Great (Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus  306-337AD).  Constantine was best known for being the first Christian Roman Emperor.  In 324 Constantine announced his dcision to transform Byzantium into Nova Roma and on May 11, 330 he officially proclaimed the city the new capital of the Roman Empire.  The city was renamed Constantinople - the City of Constantine, after Constantine's death in 337.  It would remain the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years.  Size 6.   $78.US.
  AN417.   This silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantius II (Flavius Julius Constantius - Caesar, 323-337;  Augustus, 337 - 361 AD).  Constantius was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Gattle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  Constantius took an active part in the affairs of the Christian church, he is not remembered as a restorer of unity, but as a heretic who arbitrarily imposed his will on the church.  Size 10.   $108.US.
  AN418.   This silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantine the Great (Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus  306-337AD).  Constantine was best known for being the first Christian Roman Emperor.  In 324 Constantine announced his dcision to transform Byzantium into Nova Roma and on May 11, 330 he officially proclaimed the city the new capital of the Roman Empire.  The city was renamed Constantinople - the City of Constantine, after Constantine's death in 337.  It would remain the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years.  Size 11.   $138.US.
  AN419.   This silver ring has a bronze coin of Licinius (Flavius Galerius Valerius Liinianus Licinius  308-324AD).  Of Dacian peasant origin, born in Moesia Superior, Licinius accompanied his close friend the Emperor Galerius on the Persian expedition in 297.  Galerius elevated Licinius to the rank of Augustus in the West on November 11, 308.  He received as his immediate command the provinces of Illyricum, Thrace and Pannonia (the Western half of the Roman Empire).  Size 11.   $158.US.
  AN420.  
This silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantius II (Flavius Julius Constantius - Caesar, 323-337;  Augustus, 337 - 361 AD).  Constantius was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Gattle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  Constantius took an active part in the affairs of the Christian church, he is not remembered as a restorer of unity, but as a heretic who arbitrarily imposed his will on the church.  Size 9.   $68.US.
  AN421.   This silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantius II (Flavius Julius Constantius - Caesar, 323-337;  Augustus, 337 - 361 AD).  Constantius was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Gattle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  Constantius took an active part in the affairs of the Christian church, he is not remembered as a restorer of unity, but as a heretic who arbitrarily imposed his will on the church.   Size 9.   $78.US.
  AN422.   This sterling silver ring has a bronze coin of Constantius Gallus (Flavius Claudius Constantius Gallus 325/326 - 354AD) the son of Julius Constantius by his first wife Galla.  Gallus' paternal grandparents were Western Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus and his second wife Flavia Maximiana Theodora.  Julius Constantius was also a half-brother of Roman Emperor Constantine I, and thus Gallus was a first cousin of Emperors Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans.  Size 7.   $86.US.
  AN423.   These silver earrings feature two different bronze coins.  One coin is of Valens and the other is of Constantius II.  From the top of the earwire to the bottoms of the coins the earrings measure 1 9/16 inches tall.   $138.US.
Valens (Flavius Julius Valens 364-378 AD) is credited with the commission of a short history of the Roman State.  This work, produced by Valens' secretary Eutropius, and known with the name Breviarium ab Urbe condita, tells the story of Rome from its founding.  According to some historians, Valens was motivated by the necessity of learning Roman history so that he, the royal family and their appointees might better mix with the Roman Senatorial class.  Valens was sometimes known as the Last True Roman Emperor.  His succesor was Theodosius I.
  AN424.   These silver earrings feature two different bronze coins.  One coin is of Valens and the other is of Constantius II.  From the top of the earwire to the bottoms of the coins the earrings measure 1 1/2 inches tall.   $108.US.
  AN425.   These silver earrings feature two different bronze coins.  One coin is of Constantius II and the other is of Valens.  From the top of the earwire to the bottoms of the coins the earrings measure 1 1/2 inches tall.   $128.US.
  AN426.   These silver stud earrings feature two bronze coins of Constantius II.  The coins average 5/8 in height.   $98.US.
  AN427.   This ancient brass piece from the Roman Empire has been set in sterling silver to make it into a lovely pendant with a lot of unknown history to it.  It would look terrific with a simple silver chain or chord or beads.  It measures 1 7/8 inches from top of hanging loop to bottom of pendant.   $68.US.   (sold)
  AN428.   This silver and brass pendant (it swings nicely) features a bronze coin of Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus 284-305AD).  Diocletian brought an end to the period popularly known to historians as the "Crisis of the Third Century".  He established an autocratic government and was responsible for laying the groundwork for the second phase of the Roman Empire.  Diocletian created what has become known as the system of "Tetrarchy", or "rule of four", whereby a senior emperor would rule in the East and another senior emperor would rule out the West, and each would have a junior emperor.   The entire piece is 2 1/4 inches tall.   $98.US.
  AN429.   This silver pendant features a bronze coin of Constantine II (Flavius Claudius Julius Constantinus 337-340AD) son of Constantine the Great.  He was a joint emperor with his brothers Constantius and Constans.  Constantine II was involved in military expeditions from an early age.  In 323AD he took part in Constantine I's campaigns against the Sarmatians.  Soon after the death of his half-brother Crispus in 326 at the age of 10, he was nominally put in command of Gaul.  Constantine II's generals apparently won a victory over the Alamanni.  The piece is 1 5/16 inches tall.   $64.US.   (sold)
  AN430.  
This silver pendant has a bronze coin of Constantius II (Flavius Julius Constantius - Caesar, 323-337;  Augustus, 337 - 361 AD).  Constantius was the second of the three sons of Constantine the Great.  Constantius eventually met and crushed Magnentius in the Gattle of Mursa Major, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman History.  Constantius took an active part in the affairs of the Christian church, he is not remembered as a restorer of unity, but as a heretic who arbitrarily imposed his will on the church.  This measures 1 3/16 inches tall.   $48.US.   (sold)
  AN431.   This graceful silver pendant has a bronze coin of Constantine the Great (Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus  306-337AD).  Constantine was best known for being the first Christian Roman Emperor.  In 324 Constantine announced his dcision to transform Byzantium into Nova Roma and on May 11, 330 he officially proclaimed the city the new capital of the Roman Empire.  The city was renamed Constantinople - the City of Constantine, after Constantine's death in 337.  It would remain the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years.  The piece is 1 3/8 inches tall.   $64.US.
  AN432.   This silver pendant holds a WIDOW'S MITE, a biblical coin from 103-76BC.  "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury:  and many that were rich cast in much.  And there came a certain poor widow and she threw in two mites...  and he called unto him and his disciples, and saith unto them:  Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury:  for all they did cast in of their abundance:  but she of her want did cast in all she had".  Mark 12:41-44.  The piece is 1 1/16 inches tall.   $78.US.
  AN433.  
This silver pendant holds a WIDOW'S MITE, a biblical coin from 103-76BC.  "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury:  and many that were rich cast in much.  And there came a certain poor widow and she threw in two mites...  and he called unto him and his disciples, and saith unto them:  Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury:  for all they did cast in of their abundance:  but she of her want did cast in all she had".  Mark 12:41-44.  The piece is 1 1/8 inches tall.   $78.US.
  AN434.   This is a bronze piece, perhaps a decoration from a harness - that has been set into a silver casing and made into a pendant.  The entire piece is 1 5/8 inches tall.   $58.US.   (sold)
ancient blue glass beads   AN435.   I haven't seen glorious beads like these for a while - especially at a reasonable price.  They are considered to be from the beginning of the Islamic period but there is no definite research on exactly where they were made.  They could have come from Southern Europe or there might have been factories in the area where Egypt is now.  These have currently arrived from Mali across where the trade routes passed for thousands of years.  There are 26 inches of beads on the strand, with the largest being about 5/8 inch in diameter.  There are no modern repros on this strand.  One can clearly see that a number of these beads  were folded into their shape.   $450.US.
Djenne Islamic beads   AN436.   There are four Islamic blue bead strands here.  These are cut glass beads and I have always liked the pattern created on them by the pulling of the glass before cutting - those lines on the beads that give a distinctive delicate texture.  The bead strands average 24 inches in length and are nicely graduated.  $145.US/each strand.
   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.

   AN/EA698.   11 1/2 inches of ancient beads from Iran.  The largest central bead is 1 3/4 inches long.   $325.US.
ancient agate gaming piece   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.
   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 the only coin available here)
   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 the only coin available from this group)
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. 

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   .....African trade beads
    .....North Africa
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    .....Europe
    .....Modern copies of ancient objects
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