Jade ‘Dzi’ bead with turquoise, Tang dynasty

An antique turquoise-inlaid jade bead with eye-pattern and border decoration. Carved in the shape of a sheath, elongated with rounded edges and a bulging centre, it has a central hole that runs through it for the insertion of a cord.  It shows a patina produced by age and the passage of time. 

This type of object was used as part of traditional Buddhist ornaments and elements. It shows generalized patina produced by the passage of time, Tang Dynasty (618 - 906) or later. 

Size: 2.5 x 2.5 x 5.4 cm

Weight: 58 g