Mystic old pumtek dzi/bhaisajyaguru/ ''evil eye' bead with reach patina #6465 For Sale

2.4 cm

Ancient Pumtek are often highly contrasted black and white decorated stone beads and some may be more than 2000 years old (400 BCE). Early 20th century Burmese bead makers also adopted the name Pumtek for their own newly created fossilwood beads. These beads were designed to replicate the Pumtek found on their much prized heirloom necklaces. Wearing these beads was seen as a display of position and wealth within the tribal community and they also acted as protective amulets. As heirloom beads it has also been suggested that the Chin view them as being imbued with the power and blessing of their ancestors.
To the untrained eye, 20th C beads are often confused with much earlier Pumtek because they so closely resemble each other. The Chin also mix antique and ancient beads on the same heirloom necklaces and this can often make it difficult to tell them apart. A small Burmese cottage industry was revived in the 1990s and once again bead makers tried to replicate much earlier Pumtek, however, 'new' Pumtek beads are very different in their quality of stone material and craftmanship. New beads can feel very dry or brittle to the touch and they are often much lighter in weight and more crudely decorated. They simply do not have the patina of a bead that has been worn and cherished for generations.

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