AN OLD ELEGANT AND LONG 'CHUNG DZI' DARK CHOCOLATE AGATE BEAD Himalayan region, presumably Tibet or India, around 500-1000 CE or later. Long and half translucent bead of a tubular shape in a beautiful dark-chocolate color. Well-polished and with central drilling showing ancient toolmarks. 'Chung dzi' beads are believed to have been created in ancient times by bead makers from agate or chalcedony and were worn as protective amulets. The prefix chung in this instance refers to a specific type of stone material that has unique healing properties. Condition: Good condition with some notches and minor weathering commensurate with age. Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. Istvan Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe. Weight: 7.4 g Dimensions: 6.6 cm