"Eye bead" with coloured enamel, Warring States period

Bead made of vitreous paste with coloured enamel known as "琉璃" (Liúlí) in Chinese and "colored polish" in English. It is the ancient Chinese name for a type of gemstone and ancient jewellery found in ancient tombs in many parts of the world. It is shaped like a star with eye-like points, formed by concentric circles and small dots. This piece is of excellent quality and the iridescent patina, which accumulates over the ages, is remarkable.

The main component was lead-barium glass which, because of its risk, was used exclusively for decorative objects. The composition was obtained from the by-products of bronze smelting, which were refined and processed.

The form was introduced via the Silk Road and was collected by many wealthy families. It is such that it is included among the most precious materials in China (gold, silver, jade, coloured enamel, ceramics and bronze) and among one of the "Seven Treasures of Buddhism". In addition, the wearer of these is promised health and protection against evil spirits.

There were more than thirty colours, among them (white, sky blue, sapphire blue, peacock blue, chicken fat yellow...) and the ancients also called it "five-coloured stone". Because they were difficult to obtain, there was talk of stones more precious than jade. 

It is possible to study the magnificence of the deposited history, which travels through time and space, in this piece. In June 2008, the Chinese "State Council" and "Ministry of Culture" selected this technique among other "national intangible cultural products".

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980. 

References:

The Met Museum. "Eye bead number. 1994.605.120

The British Museum. "bead" number. 1940,1214.5 y 1938,0524.753.

Diameter: 5.5 cm approx. Weight: 90 g