Ancient Javanese Trade Beads-Blue and Green Indo-Pacific Glass Bead Earrings w Sterling Silver

Cache Antiques is introducing an exciting new chapter in our range of antique jewellery, featuring antique trade beads with bespoke settings by our artisans in Java. The history of beads is extensive, dating back to Neolithic times. Please see our website for a more extensive description.

This particular set showcases antique Indonesian beads that were first termed “trade wind beads”, but are now referred to as “Indo-Pacific Monochrome Drawn Glass Beads”, or Indo-Pacific beads for short. Made between 500 to 200 BC, these beads were used to trade from India to Africa and served as valuable currency. They come in a wide variety of colours and often display wound or drawn glass characteristics as well as a patina from millennia of use and wear.

My favourite thing about these earrings is these deep jewel tones and their complex patina. This particular listing is for a set of two earrings featuring five Indo-Pacific beads to each earring in hues of sea-green and cobalt. They are set in sterling silver, including six modern spacer beads to each earring which help protect the bead’s integrity, and silver hooks.

Price marked at $450 AUD.
Measurements: These beads are round to ovoid in form and approximately measure 0.7 by 0.7cm. Length of beads etc. approx 4cm, Total length approx. 5.8cm.
Good antique condition. Patina and fleabites to glass commensurate with age, but bead integrity otherwise very good.