Western Asiatic White Agate and Gold Necklace

Object Description

A restrung Western Asiatic necklace featuring white agate and gold beads, comprised of various shapes and sizes. It is predominantly made of rhomboid and cylindrical beads, graduating in size towards the centre. At the centre, the necklace is fitted with a large, smooth ovoid bead made from banded agate; the necklace’s varying hues on display. Three gold, tubular spacer beads with granulation sit on either side. The necklace is finished with a gold-plated clasp. (Please be aware clasp has not been professionally tied).

Object History

Many grand civilisations inhabited the area of Western Asia in Antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity are witnessed by the very sophisticated precious metal crafting of jewellery. Gold would have been hammered down to a thin layer and manipulated into different shapes, with gold and silver jewellery featuring gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Their fine detailed craftsmanship was later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans.

Agate has been known to fill veins or cracks in volcanic or altered rock underlain by granitic intrusive masses. Such agate, when cut transversely, exhibits a succession of parallel lines, often of extreme tenuity, giving a banded appearance to the section. This stone is often referred to as banded agate, riband agate, and striped agate, and is exemplified in these beads.

Object Condition

Excellent Condition. Slight scratches to the central ovoid bead.

Object Details