A Western Asiatic Lapis Lazuli and Gold Bead Necklace, Late Bronze Age through early Iron Age, ca. 2nd - 1st Millennium BCE

A striking and well-preserved ancient necklace composed of graduated lapis lazuli drop beads, interspersed with small spherical 18K gold spacer beads, forming a rich and elegant rhythm of texture and color. The deep ultramarine hues of the lapis lazuli, some speckled with natural pyrite inclusions, evoke the material's esteemed role in the ancient world as a stone of royalty, divinity, and cosmic protection.

The drop-shaped lapis lazuli beads, each hand-cut and subtly varied in form, speak to the artisanal craftsmanship of ancient Western Asiatic cultures. Later gold spacer beads accentuate the color contrast and enhance the visual richness of the necklace, while also serving as markers of status and luxury. Jewelry such as this was not only a form of personal adornment but also functioned as a talismanic object, believed to carry spiritual significance and protective power. The combination of precious lapis and gold was favored by ancient elites for its symbolism and enduring beauty. 

Medium: Gold, Lapis Lazuli

Dimensions: Length: 21 inches (53.34 cm)

Condition: Excellent. All ancient beads are intact and securely restrung. Antique 18K yellow gold spacers provide a visual accent and structural integrity. 

Provenance: Private New York Collection, assembled in the 1960s-1970s, and thence by descent to the present owner.