A SMALL OLD 'CHUNG DZI' BANDED AGATE BEAD Himalayan region, presumably Tibet, around 500-1000 CE or later. Small, bow-shaped and half translucent bead of a warm color palette, ranging from honey yellow to milky white with some darker brownish and black inclusions. 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: Very good condition with some 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: 6 g Dimensions: 3.5 cm