Here are the big ones of about an inch wide but I wouldn't know the date of fabrication, nor the uses of them otherwise than for the court necklaces. If somone saw them elsewhere than on the court necklace, I would appreciate to know.
On the second picture, I bought these 4 years ago at the Beijing antique market and they seemed to me recently made, quite covered all over with clay. The reds are of usual size of an inch wide.
Do you know if chinese people make these beads only for the tourist market of bead collectors ?
Anyway, they make your suitcase really heavy on your way to home !
Thanks.
Paeonia