Hellenistic Quartz Bead - c. 200 BCE to 100 CE - Greco–Bactrian Empire

These Greco-Bactrian quartz beads, hailing from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, serve as a captivating testament to the cultural fusion that marked the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. Hand-carved from quartz, the beads once boasted vibrant glazes of blue, green, or yellow. The shaping of these beads was likely achieved through a primitive wheel cutting technique, a process involving a cutter and a "cyclist" who maintained the momentum of the cutting wheel.

The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, the origin of these beads, was a Hellenistic-era political entity situated in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. This kingdom, established in the aftermath of Alexander the Great's eastern conquests, was a melting pot of Greek and Eastern cultures. Renowned for its wealth and cultural richness, the kingdom played a pivotal role in the eastward spread of Hellenistic culture, particularly influencing art, architecture, and language.

Previously part of a private collection in Denmark, the beads were originally discovered near the province of Balkh in what is now Afghanistan. Intriguingly, the beads bear remnants of later dying in cobalt and turquoise, indicating their continued use and adaptation during the Islamic Dynasties of the 9th-10th century CE.

Each coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.