I have always referred to these as Chinese Warring States "Composite Type" bead. Meaning it was faience or similar material core, with typically a thin glass outer layer and decoration.
Although "faience" may not be the proper usage here, it is seems more like a semi-porous clay-like material most of the time. I am open to a better description of the core material.
This type can be found in a broad range of types or variations. The one shown below reminded me of the planet Jupiter.
Jan was kind enough to send me this wonderful broken example a couple of years ago -- love seeing the inside!
Abe
When I was first going to Beijing to shop -almost every other month, 2001 to 2006- these were the cheapest of the ancient beads on Liulichang Dajie. Occasionally, I could have bought them for about five dollars per bead. But I passed because they are fragile and cheap looking to me. Hindsight tells me I should have bought them -especially the ones with purple.
Good to know people buy beads for what they are worth - not for their pretty skin alone!
Pretty and educative!
Great catch!
