Vintage Chinese carved olive pit Hedaio bead necklace, Lohan Arhat heads. nlwd107

Vintage Chinese carved olive pit Hedaio bead necklace depicting hand carved  Lohan (Arhat) heads.  Strung with old Chinese smooth and carved ebony beads and finished with a copper hook clasp.  Necklace is 25 inches in length.  Newly strung on silk cord.    The 13 Hedaio beads range from 23-29mm long.

The Lohan or Arhat are the mythical original followers of the Buddha.  These carved heads are often used in Buddhist malas.  This type of seed or nut carving dates to the Song Dynasty. These beads were carved Mid 20th century.