Tibetan "amber" resin bead with brass caps, coral & turquoise. Nepal 1970s. 39x28mm. b4-amb140

Vintage Tibet Nepal "amber" resin large barrel bead with chased brass caps. Three brass strips stretch vertically along the bead each with 4 round cabochons of turquoise and coral . This bead was acquired in the 1970s in Nepal. This is a stunning handmade bead. Age uncertain. 51x39mm. Hole size on the silver end is 3.7mm but the inside bead hole size looks to be 2mm.

The Tibetans sometimes applied gold or silver caps to the ends of valuable ancient stone beads such as etched carnelians, dZi and banded agates to conceal damage or reinforce fragile beads. This style has been copied in some vintage and contemporary capped beads from Nepal.