Hello Ali,
An industry in Ladakh making hard-stone beads would be news to me.
As far as I know there were no hard-stone-working industries anywhere in the Himalayas. Most such beads came from India—albeit some of these were located in North India, fairly close to Nepal.
Is there any reason to suspect otherwise?
Jamey
Hello Jamey
Years ago I met a group of Indian archeologists in my shop. They asked me to see if there is any old beads , in that time I had many strands of this kind of Carnelian. It was first time I heard the name ladakh. All were conforming these are ladakh made and showed me some photos from local museums. But I think bead researchers papers would be also good source. I am now just drowned in the buty of these beads.
Best regards
Ali
I can show you some beads I bought in a store in San Francisco in 1980—41 years ago.
If I were naieve about beads, I might say, "These beads are from San Francisco." Or even "These beads were made in San Francisco."
The first statement is circumstantial. And it is true, as far as it goes.
The second statement is not true (because no one in San Francisco made such beads).
But these are the things naive people think and say, constantly.
An "archaeologist" does not travel around the world, seeking to buy interesting beads. But someone who is interested in archaeologically-interesting beads might do that. And he might present himself as an "archaeologist." But that would be a subterfuge (deceitful).
This "archaeologist" might show you photos from a museum in Ladakh, and say "These beads were made in Ladakh." And he (being not very well-informed) might actually believe that. But his belief does not make it true. All we really know is that this person says the photo is from a museum in Ladakn, and he and his friends believe this means the beads shown were made there.
Many many people have naive ideas about beads. They think and believe many untrue and even impossible things about the beads they have or have seen.
I have been reporting this for most of my career, that began in the early 1970s.
I cannot say with any authority that the beads in-question were not made in Ladakh; nor even that they would not be found in Ladakh. Neither is impossible.
I can only say that, in antiquity, most carnelian beads, found anywhere from across Asia, were made in India; or were made by people who learned Indian practices. That is a conventional proposition.
And I can say that, in terms of Ladakh material culture, I have not seen such beads from that context. That doesn't mean there are none. I have not studied early Ladakh; nor have I been to their museums.
But I can say that, on the surface of things, what has been said sounds a great deal like the misinformed beliefs of someone whose knowledge is over-simple—and is typical of people in many parts of the world where mythology and simple ideas are believed.
It is very possible that you have related your story candidly and honestly. And it is possible the person or people who spoke to you believe what they said—and that they were archaeologists.
I can only say, based on my experience, that the story sounds far-fetched. Or simplistic. Or made-up because of the goals or desires of the people who spoke to you.
The story is only interesting if we consider it MIGHT be true, and if it encourages further investigation. That is how scientific inquiry operates.
Be well. Jamey
I will always be an "adult beginner" when it comes to beads, and will never achieve a smattering of the beads knowledge you and others here have accrued.
But I'm always grateful for the insights, knowledge, and information I find here.
And yes, people will tell us stuff they believe is true, and we will repeat what we believe to be true, inadvertently, sometimes deliberately. What matters is, when we know better, we can do better.
Thank you all for helping me "do better". :-)
Hello Ali,
Yes, these are very nice and interesting beads. I like the clarity of the stone, and the intricacy of the forms. I don't recall seeing ancient stone beads in these shapes, but they make me think West Asia and islamic rather than Himalayan.
Certainly, on the two occasions i went to Ladakh in the 1970s I don't recall seeing anything similar. It was an arduous journey especially on the first trek in the summer of '70 when the area was officially closed to foreigners because of border clashes with Pakistan and China. I was with some friends from Srinagar and we had to cross through the mountains from Kashmir to Ladakh on horseback so as to avoid the army patrols.
My reason for going was to see some of the amazing Tibetan-style Buddhist monasteries around Leh. In the town of Leh itself there was one shop that I remember selling jewellery and antiques. The most popular bead material by far was turquoise, and of course a lot of silver. There were a few carnelians, but either oblate or melon-shaped, not in the forms of your beads. I bought some very nice turquoise to give to friends and a lot of old tribal silver. All that I have left today is a wonderful but somewhat battered large 15th century bronze of Yamantaka and a heavily moulded silver and leather bracelet (attached, along with a young man in a mountain pass whom I scarcely recognize!)
Sorry, Ali, I can't be more help, but thank you for stirring the memories.
Will
