A LOT OF TWENTY-THREE SULEMANI BANDED ONYX BEADS Himalayan region, 12th century or later. A lot consisting of twenty-three slightly different in size, barrel shaped beads neatly carved from white onyx flanked by black bands. 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 losses and chips to the surface. 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: 41.9 g Dimensions: Length 32 cm