A ‘TORTOISE SHELL’ AND STRIPED AGATE CHUNG DZI BEAD

拍品描述

A ‘TORTOISE SHELL’ AND STRIPED AGATE CHUNG DZI BEAD Tibet, 19th century or earlier. Of small, rounded form, featuring a central tortoise shell band flanked by stripes, all skillfully etched to its surface. The mostly opaque red carnelian agate with creamy to orange etching. Central drilling allowing for suspension as a pendant. Dimensions: Length 2.9 cm Chung Dzi beads are characterized by striped or banded patterns that often form naturally within the agate. They are traditionally believed to provide stability, grounding energy, spiritual benefit, and protection to the wearer, making them a popular choice among Tibetan monks and practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism. They are most often worn as protective amulets and are sometimes ground into a powder for use in traditional Tibetan medicine. The Tortoise Shell or Longevity motif is a pattern traditionally associated with good health, endurance, wisdom, and long life. In Tibetan and wider Asian symbolism, the tortoise is revered as one of the longest-living creatures and serves as an emblem of stability and resilience. Beads bearing this motif were believed to strengthen the body, ward off illness, and promote well-being, while also imparting the tortoise’s qualities of patience and wisdom

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