This is very interesting RedMountain.... So you're saying this is an Archaistic job.... I have found a pic of what I assume is that bead (a very famous one I presume?) and it is the first one I've seen showing the taper.. Although the proportion and colours seem quite different....I know the Chinese have a long tradition of imitating the ancient... going back to the Ming Dynasty... So I'm still hoping my bead isn't a really modern version...?