Five Tibetan Turquoise & Silver Hair Beads (Tsigyu)

These five Tibetan hair beads are notable for their subtle variety and authenticating wear.

Shaped as conches, one of the Eight Precious Buddhist Objects, they have been identified by Levenberg (2025, p. 502) as tsigyu (‘top turquoise’ or ‘head turquoise’), and sometimes as tyios (‘hair binders’ or ‘hair ties’).

Such beads were worn in the hair by upper class women and men in Lhasa, Central Tibet.

The beads are of silver, over a black pitch (sal drup) body, and feature fine silver wirework, pearled wire, and granulation work. Each has at its centre, a large turquoise cabochon. One bead has an additional three small turquoise cabochons on each side, all in box settings.

The reverse of one is missing its enclosure revealing the interior resin. The others are intact.

Each has an excellent patina and ample wear and smoothness from age and use.