Western Asiatic Carnelian, Gold Beaded Necklace

A restrung Western Asiatic necklace formed from gold and carnelian beads. Rhomboid carved carnelian beads gradually increase in size towards the centre of the necklace interspersed with small circular gold beads with delicate granulation. To the centre is a large ovoid bead of banded carnelian featuring dramatic striations of orange. The necklace is finished with a modern gold plated clasp.

Many grand civilisations inhabited the area of Western Asia in antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity is 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. Fine granulation, as we can see on this item, along with filigree, were at the centre of Near Eastern and Western Asiatic jewellery production and were later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. Precious and semi-precious stones were also widely used.

Carnelian is a translucent variant of chalcedony, and ranges in colour from light orange to dark brown. The colour of stones was important in antiquity, with some varieties considered, through sympathetic magic, to increase fertility, ease childbirth, and provide relief and protection from afflictions (such as scorpion bites, stomach ailments, and eye disease) .

Measurements: Circa 21. 1 cm half length when folded

Provenance: Ex S. M. London collection, 1970-2000s by descent