Ancient Javanese Trade Beads- Turquoise Millefiori Eye Bead Earrings circa 3rd century BC to 10th century AD

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. Please see our website for a more extensive description. 

This particular series showcases antique Indonesian eye beads produced using the millefiori method, which was created and improved upon during the Hellenistic to Roman period. Eye beads were believed in many ancient cultures to be a powerful symbol of protection that would ward off the evil eye. 

Eye beads of this type have been found which date to 1500 BC, and they were produced approximately up to the fourteenth century. Scientific analysis of beads recovered from 10th century shipwrecks indicate that two major glass production centres in the medieval world were West Asia and South Asia. The beads are ancient and their condition is remarkable considering nature of material and age; as each bead is unique, please refer to pictures for description.

These eye beads with their stratified millefiori eyes were produced up to 1200A.D. but are likely older, and could be as early as 500-300 B.C. (i.e. the Egyptian, more precisely Ptolemaic period).

This particular listing is for a set of two earrings featuring two ancient turquoise millefiori beads as described above. The beads feature multiple millefiori eyes to each bead, and showcase unique hand-rolled characteristics to each segment. They are set in sterling silver, including three modern spacer beads which help protect the bead’s integrity, a central silver bead and silver hooks. 

Price marked at $380 AUD.

Measurements: These beads are ovoid in form and approximately measure 1.3 by 1.2cm. Length of beads etc. approx 5cm, Total length approx. 6.3cm.

Good antique condition. Patina and fleabites to glass commensurate with age, but bead integrity otherwise very good.