A double-strand necklace featuring an antique Indian silver top, ancient quartz, Mizoram carnelian, perfectly round Roman glass, and white & emerald blue beads.

This is a double-strand necklace, intricately assembled with an antique Indian silver top, ancient quartz, Mizoram carnelian, perfectly round Roman glass, and white & emerald blue beads. The centerpiece is an antique Indian silver pendant, dating back to the 19th or early 20th century. Its unique patina is expected to deepen beautifully with wear. It is believed to represent the goddess Homa Mata, a symbol of maternal love and domestic harmony, though this is an assumption. The wear and tear on the pendant lend it a distinctive charm, and its leaf-like shape is utterly delightful. (Pendant size: 1.9cm length, 1.4cm width, including the loop.) Adjacent to the pendant, a small bell, likely used as ornamentation by the Kuki people, adds a touch of history. This is an antique piece and does not produce sound. The plump silver beads flanking the pendant are exceptionally rare old Chin silver, believed to be heirlooms from around the 18th-19th century, originating from Burma. Traditionally used by Chin women in their adornments, these beads bear the unique marks of time and loving wear. Their substantial feel and presence are incomparable to modern silver, even though contemporary pieces can also be striking. These antique beads have seen a significant rise in value in recent years. The transparent beads are ancient quartz unearthed in Afghanistan, dating back approximately 1500 years to the Roman era. They possess a beautiful, faceted form. While they bear minor scratches, these imperfections only enhance their historical resonance. (Ancient quartz size: 0.8cm length, 0.7cm width.) The orange beads are Mizoram carnelian, heirlooms from around the 18th century, sourced from the Mizoram state in eastern India. They showcase a lustrous, beautiful orange hue with captivating gradations. The perfectly round emerald blue beads are Roman glass, originating from the Roman Empire (27 BCE - 395 CE). These fragments, once part of vessels, have been polished and drilled. The emerald blue and other beads are antique beads known as Indo-Pacific beads, with origins tracing back to the 2nd century BCE. These particular beads are excavated artifacts from Indonesia, dating back an astonishing 1000 years to around the 10th century! Their varied sizes and colors create a visually captivating and endlessly engaging arrangement. The small charms beside the golden beads and round Roman glass are old Orissa brass, antique and rare beads from the Orissa state of India. A round charm near the clasp is also old brass from India. Each small Karen silver bead is meticulously stamped! The sheer dedication involved in this handcraft is truly awe-inspiring. The slightly curved clasp is also made of Karen silver. ◇ Karen Silver ◇ This silver is crafted by the mountain-dwelling ethnic groups of Thai Burma. Each piece is handmade and said to possess exceptionally high purity. The twisted design adds a unique texture and character. The necklace is strung on waxed cord, which may feel slightly stiff initially but will become supple with wear. Size: Approximately 43.8cm (when laid straight) Materials: Old Indian silver, glass, ancient quartz, Mizoram carnelian, ancient agate, Karen silver, old Chin silver, old Orissa brass, mixed metal, waxed cord.