I think this is really beautiful, Nishedha. Thanks for showing it. What I find most pleasing is the balance it achieves: between the variety in the glass and the uniformity of the gold beads; between the relative modesty of the glass beads and a refined ostentation in the gold. Sad to say, whenever I look at a box of disparate old beads, the only necklace I can imagine is threaded on a length of string and hanging from a hook! So I really do admire your ability to conceive of something that has this kind of perfection and then to realize it so successfully.

W.

Believe me, I feel also embarrassed most of the time, with all these boxes around, full of all kinds of oh-so-nice old beads, that I do not know (yet?) how to successfully string as a necklace!
But perseverance furthers...and I have also to admit that rarely beads inspire me as much as these millefiore did.

The beads and the necklace are gorgeous!

Count me among the ardent admirers of Nishedha's elegant aesthetic and peerless materials.
What I offer here is inspiration from the thrift shop end of the spectrum.
I sure would like to get hold of some more of these big dog bones if anyone knows where one could find them!
Cheers!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/106891228/sale-purple-bone-acrylic-crackle-beads?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=dog bone beads large&ref=sc_gallery_3&plkey=f376f3a9223775dc28bf6a8c8e80487a57ba5997:106891228

These are about 1 inch, Howelite and more expensive, but you could take this apart and make several necklaces like the one you posted from this and other beads: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DOG-BONE-BEAD-Necklace-Dyed-HOWLITE-Turquoise-Nuggets-20-/332140537284?hash=item4d551e65c4:g:DNwAAOSwA3dYH87M

Hello jrj,
The beads I used here are glass and they have a gushy bulbous quality that the beads in other materials don't quite have.
Thank you though for hunting on my behalf. I have had no success whatsoever finding more of these - which I do find inspiring attached is another version of the necklace.
Cheers,
L

Am I correct that these are glass?
If so, they are probably Czech.
I have seen this shape before. I am off to the Czech Republic Wednesday. I could keep an eye out for you.

Yes they are glass!
About 2cm X 1cm in a range of colors (other examples of which I just posted above in the thread). They seem like Czech beads to me too.
Thank you so much for you! offer to look out for them. Please please do. I would love to know more about them.
Cheers Floor,
L

Almost anything that Carl posted inspired me.

From my last visit to John & Ruth's incredible museum:

Silver and phenolic resin beads from Mauritania.

Heat-treated and shaped phenolic resin beads, presumed West Africa (Mauritania, Mali, or ?)

Because at least thirty percent of these beads feel new to me, I suspect there is possibility that ninety percent are contemporary.

it looks ancient to me. which is the new one in your opinion.

Hi Bonpo,
Thank you for your opinion. Please let me hear more from you and others.

Without seeing these in person, we cannot be certain of the ones which may be old.
But I feel reasonably certain of ones which may be as many as twenty five years new.
Craftsmanship when simulating dZi and Tircul style beads has dramatically improved.

Best regards,
Fred

I remember early in my bead collecting days (so I was like 10), I read about three beads that just fascinated me. Two were in History of Beads" and the another was in the Robert O. Kinsey's "Magical Jewels of Japan" book.

One was a horned eye Warring States bead and another was a glass eye bead by Kyoyo Asao, the master Japanese glass bead maker. The third is another Ojime from Magical Jewels, of a little golden Oni (I think) rising out of a steel/dark silver kettle. Just exquisite -- although I couldn't find any pictures of it on the web!

Of course, these "first loves" still influence my collecting to this day! Thanks to Jan, I now own a few Chinese Warring States Beads (alas, no horned eyes), and while I've never come across an Asao, I still think of Ojime beads as some of the most perfect little gems ever. So yes, deeply inspiring!

Abe

I believe you are referring to the ojime in the attached image.

Depicting a drunken Shojo (not oni) climbing out of a sake jar.
Fabricated repoussé Japanese multi metal. Late 19th c. Japan.
18mm or 3/4 inch height.

My VERY first.

"Rose-Market", Bamako, Mali, 1991.

Green "bottle-glass" - 14,3mm.

Still my favourite bead!

I feel this is one of the most inspiring beads ever made. And it is only 3/4 inch or 19mm in height. Cast, with elaborate fabrication, multi metal late 19th century Meiji Era Japan.

Depicting Oni protecting himself from being pelted by soy beans during the first day of spring celebrations. -"Setsubun, a holiday marking the beginning of Spring in Japan’s old lunar calendar, is a day filled with rituals to rid your house of past demons and encourage good luck in the year ahead."

I met Clare Boothe Luce in Hawaii during a Netsuke Convention in the early 80's when she was living on the shores of Diamond Head. She told me her ojime necklace was her favorite. Most of her ojime were gold floral. But the center bead was an extremely large Shibayama style -mother of pearl inlaid, gold lacquered ivory bead. Her portrait is from a Christmas greeting she sent.

Very classic, Danny!

Do I see it correct? Is the lowest one to the left side in "long concave" shape? That would be awesome!