Thank you Abhaya for sharing this picture. It is nice to see these wonderful beads in their context. Do you know more about the so called ´military´ carnalian beads? Why are they given that name?
All the best,
Hendrik
I honestly don't know. The first I heard of this was from an American collector along the Thai/Burmese border who said the stripes indicated a military rank and that these originated somewhere in Mesopotamia and were of great antiquity but were traded at some point to Burma. I think this is a legend at best.
I too am highly appreciative of archaeological evidence for provenance of ancient beads. -And I may have met that same American dealer who created the term "Military Bead." -Sometimes, history begins with speculation. Then it becomes legend. Then it becomes History...
It is difficult to erase erroneous history...even when the original author wants to alter his interpretation of the facts.
Thank you for posting this picture, the combinations are beautiful! I love turquoise and coral/red together.
