A LOT OF THIRTY-TWO SULEMANI BANDED ONYX BEADS Himalayan region, 12th century or later. A lot consisting of thirty-two spherical and elongated, slightly biconical beads, neatly carved from black and white striped onyx. Sulemani is a recent Indian term referring to onyx and agate beads which Muslim people used for their prayer's chains during their presence in India starting from 12th century onwards. However, they reused beads of much older origin and culture. On a textile string, can be worn as a necklace. Condition: Good condition with some material losses and chips, one longer bead is broken. 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: 54.4 g Dimensions: Length 60 cm