Ancient Millefiori Glass Trade Bead, Javanese Jatim Stratified Eye Bead, Swivel Fob Pendant

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. 

This particular series showcases antique Indonesian eye beads produced using the millefiori method, which was created during the Hellenistic to Roman period. In particular, we hand-selected the largest, most interesting beads to mount in swivel fob settings, showcasing every facet of these beads to best advantage while preserving their historical integrity.

This particular listing is for a swivel fob pendant featuring a stratified millefiori eye bead with blue and copper red eyes on yellow ground. This bead not only showcases unique hand-rolled characteristics to each segment, but the setting is sterling silver and made to measure by our team of artisans, and is marked 925 on the bail. 

These were referred to Majapahit beads in past years, but more recently the scientific community has termed them Jatim beads instead, as they were produced earlier than the existence of the legendary Javanese kingdom. Without scientific instruments, it is near impossible to determine exactly when and where this bead was made. What can be stated is that this bead was found in Java, that it dates no later than the 10th century AD, that it bears strong Ptolemaic-Roman influences, and specifically bears resemblances to the yellow millefiori trade beads of the later Roman period. Javanese craftsmanship of this period was sophisticated, as seen by the beautifully worked nature of this bead.

Price marked at $520AUD.

Measurements: Eye bead is ovoid in form and approximately measures 1.8cm in diameter. Total pendant height approx. 2.7cm.

Bead is in excellent antique condition. Patina and fleabites to glass commensurate with antiquity of bead, but bead integrity very good.