Beads from Beijing | |||||
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When it comes to glass beads, pretty much everything you see here is fake. It is mass produced, and made to look old in different ways. It was very educational for me to walk around all the different stalls selling the same beads, all reproductions. One seller would have them by the strand, making it pretty clear they were not original Warring State beads, others would keep them in a small glass container, in between so called precious antiques.
As I said, I have taken many pictures, and will be showing quite a few. It gives a good insight to at least some of the current market in reproductions. Apart from some agate, cheap stone and some buddhist wood and seed beads, I did not buy anything at the market. I know little to nothing about original antique and ancient Chinese beads, let alone that I would be able to tell the difference between the real thing and a fake. I had a great time though, looking at all the different and colourful displays.
The first pictures five you a general idea of what the market looks like.