Very unusual and complexly carved lapis lazuli bead, most likely from Afghanistan. This was purchased in Peshawar, Pakistan about 10 years ago. Difficult to really give it any significant confirmable date other then this piece is real old, probably several hundreds of years, possibly Sassanid or even earlier. Every other “spoke” on the edge is alternately drilled all the way to the central hole, one can assume this was from a larger ensemble and was inset with other stones. A very nice... Click for details
This small nephrite jade carving of a child measures approximately 2 3/4 inches tall by 1 3/4 inches in width by 1 1/2 inches in depth ( 70 mm x 45 mm x 35mm)
It has colors ranging from a deep greenish gray celadon color to a pale off white stained down to a pale speckled yellow gray by oxidation ( on the rear/ backside).
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A schist fragment of a wall relief with a deeply carved relief head of a horse or bull. The fragment measures 4" high by 2" wide at the top by 1 5/8" thick. The animal's head is in excellent condition with only a small chip on the left side of the mouth - the back shows where it was removed from a larger frieze. No restorations. The Gandharan Empire was in existence during the 3rd and 4th centuries, ad, and was located in what is now largely occupied by North West India, Pakistan and Afghanistan... Click for details
AN OLD SILVER & ROCK CRYSTAL ARM BRACELET, INDIA, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY.
The bracelet consists of eleven pieces of facetted rock crystal set into silver mounts, the settings enclosed at the back in order to reflect the light. The stringing ends with gold wrapped thread and a slider to adjust the diameter.