Carved faluo ‘Dzi’ pendant, Ming dynasty

Ancient phaluo bead or ‘法螺天珠’ carved in the shape of an elongated sheath, with rounded edges and a central hole that runs through it to be threaded by a string. The Faluo or ‘Sky Stone’ is a sedimentary rock that contains various elements in its composition such as jade, agate or crystalline minerals. Its use has connotations of nobility, elegance and power. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) or later.

Height: 5.1 cm: Diameter: 1.3 cm