String of beads

Title
String of beads
Year/Period
6th-9th century
Region
East Java
Dimension
Object size: L 13
Accession No.
1997-04147
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng

These beads are known as East Javanese beads. These beads are sometimes known as ‘Majapahit beads’ but it is a misnomer, as no beads were found at the Majapahit capital and all dated examples precede the founding of the Majapahit kingdom. It has been suggested that the beads were influenced by the Middle Eastern mosaic beads. The mosaic glass could have been imported from the Middle East, although the manufacturing techniques were different.