Necklace of Ancient Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Beads & Gold

This elegant, wearable double-strand necklace comprises two strands of ancient lapis lazuli beads. There are nine larger, elongated beads that have been carved, and many other smaller beads. Each bead has ample signs of great antiquity, with surface erosion and encrustation. The beads have been restrung and have small gold spacers. The combination of the blue and the gold is particularly attractive. The necklaces closes with a modern hook-and-eye fitting.

Lapis lazuli of this type was sourced often from the Badakhshan mine in Afghanistan. It was highly prized in Bactria, an ancient Iranian civilisation in Central Asia located south of the Oxus River and north of the Hindu Kush mountains, within modern-day Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The necklace is from the estate of Sheikh Saud bin Muhammed Al Thani of Qatar, a profligate collector. The Sheikh passed away in 2014. Previously, the necklace was included in Lot 286 of the ‘Antiquities’ sale, Bonhams, London, October 15, 2006.

The necklace is stable and wearable.