This is a very unique strand of beads. They are marine ivory, dugong teeth probably  from Southeast Asia . They bear Islamic inscriptions and were originally partly lacquered with black to give contrasting relief to the calligraphy. These are the only beads of this type we’ve encountered in nearly 40 years of trading and the precise origin has mystified experts- anything from Ottoman  to Javanese or Filipino. At any rate, gorgeous old patina and quite unique. Price $1450 includes insured shipment to the US lower 48. Largest bead about  1- 3/16″ x  7/8″ diameter (about 3 cm x 22 mm). Overall length top to bottom about 16″ or 45 cm.

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