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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead with Lotus Design
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Our Price: £300.00
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A superb ancient pumtek with the sought after double lotus design. When you turn the bead to view the side profile the lotus becomes more apparent. Very few of these beads are seen for sale in the marketplace. Sourced in the 1980s and remaining in private collections until recently. The bead has been worn silky smooth from centuries of close contact to the body.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
approx 11 mm
Condition: Very good with minor weathering.
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Rare Ancient Tabular Pumtek stone bead - 20 mm
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Our Price: £500.00
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A superb ancient tabular pumtek with the sought after cross decoration on one side and on the reverse is two eyes (one inside the other). Very few of these early Pumtek beads come into the marketplace because collectors rarely part with them. This bead was collected in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently. Beads of this quality will increase greatly in value over the coming years. A perfect focal bead for a necklace.
Origin: Burma
Material: A stone bead made from fossilised/opalised Wood.
approx 20 mm at widest point
Condition: Excellent
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Pumtek Stone Bead with Lotus and Star Design
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Our Price: £300.00
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A highly collectible Pumtek stone bead with rare design. The body displays a star like decoration and when the holes are viewed a lotus flower is seen. Very few of these beads are seen for sale because this is one of the rarest Pumtek designs. This design may have originally been inspired by the shell of the Burmese Star Tortoise.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
Size: 13 mm
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Ancient Pumtek Bead with 6 Stripes
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Our Price: £100.00
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A superb ancient pumtek with the classic six stripe design. The bead has been worn silky smooth from centuries of close contact to the body.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
approx 14 mm
Condition: Very good with minor weathering.
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Authentic Pumtek Stone Bead Strand - 51 Beads
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This is a heavy necklace of brown to black espresso coloured six stripe Pumtek beads from Burma. There are a total of 51 beads on this strand in excellent condition. They came out of Burma in the 1980s and have remained in private collections since that time. Pumtek have rapidly seen an increase in value in the past couple of years and such a large strand is now rarely seen. The photo on the right shows a comparable strand worn by a woman of the Chin tribe in the late 19th century. These beads are not to be confused with 20th century beads as many of the beads on this strand are early Pyu or Tircul beads.
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Ancient Four Striped Tiger Pumtek
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SOLD!
A fine looking ancient Pumtek bead. This impressive opalised bead displays 4 zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina. It came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently.
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul Period
31 mm x 9 mm
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Ancient Nine Striped Tiger Pumtek
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Our Price: £500.00
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A fine looking ancient Pumtek bead. This impressive opalised bead displays 9 zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina. It came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently.
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul Period
35 mm x 10 mm
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Ancient Four Striped Tiger Pumtek
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SOLD!
A fine looking ancient Pumtek stone bead. This impressive agatised bead displays 4 zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina. It came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently.
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul Period
32 mm x 10 mm
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Ancient Three Striped Tiger Pumtek
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Our Price: £300.00
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A fine looking ancient Pumtek stone bead. This impressive agatised bead displays 3 zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina. It came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently.
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul Period
26 mm x 8 mm
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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead - Sun Design
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Our Price: £150.00
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A wonderful ancient agatised Pumtek stone bead with the rare radiating sun design. The bead has a central equatorial stripe with 8 lines extending horizontally across the body, which is often compared to a 'rail track' or the stitching on a rugby ball. If you view the side profile by looking at the holes, you can see this decoration also forms a sun like design. A nice example with lovely orange hues.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
Material: agatised fossilwood
11 mm
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Rare 12 Stripe Pumtek Bead - 14.5 mm
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Our Price: £200.00
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A stunning antique (possibly ancient) 12 stripe pumtek stone bead. 12 stripe beads are rarely offered for sale in the marketplace as they are coveted by collectors. A perfect jewel!
Origin: Burma. This bead has remained in private collections since the 1980s
Condition: Excellent
Material: opalised fossilwood
15 mm
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Ancient Pyu or Tircul Stone Necklace
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Please contact us for the price.
A highly collectible necklace with genuine ancient stone beads from Burma. Includes decorated agate eye beads, banded agates, rare green chalcedony and decorated and undecorated carnelians. The variety of beads on this necklace show just how skilled the Pyu/Tircul bead makers were. A superb one of a kind necklace.
75 ancient beads
Origin: Ancient Burma, Pyu/Tircul, 400 BCE to 1000 CE
Condition: Excellent
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Ancient Pyu/Tircul Necklace
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Our Price: £2,995.00
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A large necklace that is comprised of 87 ancient stone beads from the Pyu/Tircul period. The main focal bead is a gorgeous highly opalised ancient 5 stripe tiger Pumtek. This is almost dZi-like in quality and has a wonderful usage patina. This strand also includes banded agates, garnet, green chalcedony and rock crystal. These beads were all discovered in Burma and have remained in private collections since the 1980s.
No. of beads = 87
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
length of necklace approx 32 inches
Tiger Pumtek measures 38 mm x 11 mm
Condition: Mostly Very Good. 2 or 3 small beads towards the top are partially damaged (this is how they were discovered). Other beads have weathering and corrosion from extended burial.
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Ancient Pyu or Tircul Green Chalcedony Zoomorphic Tiger Bead
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Please contact us for the price.
A highly collectible stone bead from ancient Burma. Green Chalcedony beads are seldom seen in the marketplace and this has added rarity because it is carved in the shape of an animal, which is likely to be a stylised crouching tiger. This bead is particularly large for its type and few carved tigers are seen in such wonderful condition. This would make a stunning focal bead on a necklace strung with other stone beads from this region.
34 mm x 18 mm
Origin: Ancient Burma, Pyu/Tircul,
Age: 2000 Years + or -
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: Ex Dr James Keats Collection
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Ancient Pyu or Tircul Stone Bead Necklace
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Please contact us for the price.
A highly collectible necklace with genuine ancient stone beads from Burma. Includes decorated agate eye beads, banded agates, rare green chalcedony and decorated and undecorated carnelians. The variety of beads on this necklace show just how skilled the Pyu/Tircul bead makers were. A superb one of a kind necklace.
60 ancient beads
Origin: Ancient Burma, Pyu/Tircul, 400 BCE to 1000 CE
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Ancient Pumtek Stone bead - Bird or Chevron Design
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Our Price: £350.00
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A lovely ancient Pumtek stone bead from Burma. This is one of the rarer designs seen on pumtek. The bead displays triple end stripes and the six bird or chevron design. It is interesting to note that when this design is seen on an ancient dZi beads, the birds are viewed as the Garuda. A dZi with a Garuda design will also command upwards of $30,000 in Tibet and Nepal. The ends and body of the bead are polished smooth from centuries of rubbing against the skin and other beads.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul period
approx 25 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Diamond Eye Pumtek stone bead
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Our Price: £250.00
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A wonderful pumtek displaying six diamond shaped eyes. It is a coffee brown bead with a clear design. All signs point at this being an antique (possibly ancient) bead. One of the ends displays a slight nik and is worn smooth from being worn. When this design is seen on a dZi bead they can command many thousans of dollars.
Origin: Burma
Collected in India in the 1980s
Material: A stone bead made from fossilised/opalised Wood.
approx 24 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Very good with a small end nik.
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Ancient Pumtek Six Stripe Stone Bead
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Our Price: £50.00
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A highly collectible opalised Pumtek bead with six stripes. This is an extremely well worn heirloom bead that could be as much as 2000 years old.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent. No breaks, cracks or repairs.
Size: 14 mm
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Ancient Pumtek Six Stripe Stone Bead
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SOLD!
A highly collectible opalised Pumtek bead with six stripes. This is an extremely well worn heirloom bead that could be as much as 2000 years old. It displays a fine patina that only develops from centuries of close contact to the body.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent. No breaks, cracks or repairs.
Size: 12 mm
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Ancient Pumtek Six Stripe Stone Bead
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Our Price: £60.00
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A highly collectible agatised Pumtek bead with six stripes. This is an extremely well worn heirloom bead that could be as much as 2000 years old.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Very Good. No breaks, cracks or repairs.
Size: 9.5 mm
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
A highly agatised/opalised pumtek stone bead with the more sought after 12 stripe design. Displays a beautiful usage patina and ends worn smooth from countless years of daily wear.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
14 mm
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Authentic 12 Stripe Pumtek stone bead
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Our Price: £150.00
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A very large antique pumtek stone bead with the more difficult to find 12 stripe design. Displaying beautiful reddish brown hues.
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
17 mm
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone bead
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Our Price: £150.00
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A fine pumtek stone bead with the more sought after 12 stripe design. Displays a beautiful usage patina and ends worn smooth from countless years of daily wear.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
14.5 mm
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone bead
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Our Price: £150.00
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A fine pumtek stone bead with the more sought after 12 stripe design. Displays a beautiful usage patina and ends worn smooth from countless years of daily wear.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
12.5 mm
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone bead
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Our Price: £100.00
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A fine pumtek stone bead with the more sought after 12 stripe design. Displays a beautiful usage patina and ends worn smooth from countless years of daily wear.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
13 mm
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Rare Tabular Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
A superb antique (possibly ancient) tabular pumtek with the sought after cross decoration or sun and moon design. Very few of these beads come into the marketplace because collectors rarely part with them. They look particularly striking in pumtek necklace compositions. This bead was sourced in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently. Beads of this quality will increase greatly in value over the coming years.
Origin: Burma
Material: A stone bead made from fossilised/opalised Wood.
approx 25 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Tabular Pumtek stone bead
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Our Price: £150.00
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A superb antique tabular pumtek with the sought after cross decoration or sun and moon design. Sourced in India in the 1980s. Displaying wear at the perforations and a patina that only the earliest Pumtek display.
Origin: Burma
approx 23 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Tabular Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
A superb tabular pumtek with the sought after cross decoration or sun and moon design. Sourced in India in the 1980s. Displaying wear at the perforations and a patina that only the earliest Pumtek display. Great colour and clear decoration.
Origin: Burma
approx 21.5 mm at widest point
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Tabular Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
A superb tabular pumtek with the sought after cross decoration or sun and moon design. Sourced in India in the 1980s. Displaying wear at the perforations and a patina that only the earliest Pumtek display. Great colour and clear decoration.
Origin: Burma
approx 21 mm at widest point
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Ancient Agatised Pumtek - Six Stripes
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Our Price: £150.00
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A superb ancient agatised pumtek with the six stripe design. Very few six stripe beads are ever offered in the kind of quality. Sourced in the 1980s and remaining in private collections until now. The bead has been worn silky smooth from centuries of close contact to the body.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
approx 11 mm
Condition: Excellent.
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Antique Pumtek Stone Bead with tiger Stripe design
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Our Price: £250.00
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A highly collectible large Pumtek stone bead with the classic Tiger stripe design. This is believed to be an antique bead (possibly ancient).
Origin: Burma
44 mm x 11 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare Pumtek Stone bead - Bird or Chevron Design
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SOLD!
A lovely antique Pumtek stone bead from Burma. This is one of the rarer designs seen on pumtek. The bead displays triple end stripes and the six bird or chevron design. It is interesting to note that when this design is seen on an ancient dZi beads, the birds are viewed as the Garuda. The lines display yellowish hues against an earthen brown base colour.
Origin: Burma
Collected in India in the 1980s
approx 26.5 mm x 8.5 mm
Condition: Very good
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare 12 Stripe Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
A highly agatised/opalised pumtek stone bead with the much rarer 12 stripe design.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
16 mm
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Ancient Pumtek Six Stripe Stone Bead - 16 mm
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SOLD!
A highly collectible large agatised Pumtek bead with six stripes. The grain of the petrified wood can be seen in the stone.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent. No breaks, cracks or repairs.
Size: 16 mm
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Large Pumtek Stone Bead - 17 mm
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SOLD!
A wonderful large antique (possibly ancient) six stripe Pumtek. This is a rare size opalised bead with the classic six stripe design.
Origin: Burma
approx 17 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead - Sun Design
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SOLD!
An ancient agatised/opalised Pumtek stone bead with the rare radiating sun design. The bead has a central equatorial stripe with 8 lines extending horizontally across the body, which is often compared to a 'rail track' or the stitching on a rugby ball. If you view the side profile you can see this decoration also forms a sun like design.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent
Material: opalised/agatised fossilwood
12 mm
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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead - Sun Design
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SOLD!
A super ancient agatised or opalised Pumtek stone bead with the rare radiating sun design. A lovely gem with a central equatorial stripe and 8 lines extending horizontally across the body. This design is often compared to a 'rail track' or the stitching on a rugby ball. If you view the side profile you can see this decoration actually forms a sun like design. The sun being the decorated circle around the holes and the sun rays being the 8 lines that radiate outwards. The body and ends are worn smooth from centuries of rubbing against the body and other beads.
Origin: Burma, Pyu Tircul
Condition: Excellent
Material: agatised fossilwood
13 mm
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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead - Sun Design
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Our Price: £150.00
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A wonderful antique (possibly ancient) opalised Pumtek stone bead with the rare radiating sun design. The bead has a central equatorial stripe with 8 lines extending horizontally across the body, which is often compared to a 'rail track' or the stitching on a rugby ball. If you view the side profile you can see this decoration also forms a sun like design. The sun being the decorated circle around the holes and the sun rays being the 8 lines that radiate outwards.
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
Material: opalised fossilwood
13.33 mm
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Ancient Four Stripe Tiger Pumtek
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Our Price: £350.00
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A large dark Tiger Pumtek with four stripes. Prices of Pumtek have rocketed in the past couple of years, now making them amongst the most sought after of all collectible beads. They are particularly popular with collectors of dZi because of their similarity in appearance.
Age: Ancient Pyu/Tircul
Sourced in the 1980s.
Origin: Burma
31 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Three Stripe Tiger Pumtek
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Our Price: £125.00
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A lovely antique three striped Tiger Pumtek
Sourced in India in the 1980s.
Origin: Burma
26 mm x 10 mm
Condition: Excellent with minor weathering
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Pair of Antique Tabular Pumtek Stone Beads
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SOLD!
A perfectly matched pair of highly collectible Pumtek stone beads. These opalised tabular beads display the cross decoration and are worn smooth from years of wear and handling.
Origin: Burma
approx 19 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare Ancient Pumtek Stone bead - Bird or Chevron Design
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SOLD!
A lovely ancient dark stone Pumtek bead from Burma. This is one of the rarer designs seen on pumtek. The bead displays double end stripes and the six bird or chevron design. It is interesting to note that when this design is seen on an ancient dZi beads, the birds are viewed as the Garuda. A dZi with a Garuda design will also command upwards of $30,000 in Tibet and Nepal. This bead does have some loss in the middle of the bead but still remains robust. The ends are polished smooth from centuries of rubbing.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul period
approx 29.5 mm x 8 mm
Condition: Good with some loss
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Six Stripe Pumtek beads
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SOLD!
A pair of agatised stone Pumtek beads from Burma. Both beads display six stripes and are perfectly matched in size and colour.
Origin: Burma, antique
approx 9 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A pair of perfectly matched ancient stone Pumtek beads from Burma. Both beads display six stripes. Superb colour and usage patina.
Origin: Burma, early 20th century or older
approx 15 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Large Ancient Pumtek Stone Bead - 18 mm
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SOLD!
A wonderful large ancient six stripe Pumtek. This is a rare size opalised bead with a great usage patina and nice thick lines.
Origin: Burma
approx 18 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pumtek Stone Bead with Chevron or Bird in Flight Design
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SOLD!
A highly collectible Pumtek stone bead with the sought after bird in flight design. When this design is seen on a dZi bead, Tibetans call it a Garuda design. There are a total of 6 birds on this bead. The bead displays gorgeous red hues and a fantastic usage patina.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
22 mm x 8 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Pumtek Tiger Stripe Stone Bead
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SOLD!
A highly collectible ancient Pumtek stone bead with the Tiger stripe design. Displays four zig zag stripes and double end stripes. Has end wear indicative of great age.
Origin: Burma
32 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Very good with some weathering
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pyu/Tircul Necklace
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SOLD!
They don't get much better than this! Here we have a highly collectible necklace with genuine ancient stone beads from Burma. Comprised of decorated agate eye beads, banded agates, green chalcedony and decorated and undecorated carnelians. The variety of beads on this necklace show just how skilled the Burmese were at working with stone. In our opinion they were in a class of their own. The round focal bead is very dZi-like in quality and displays a rare double zig zag design. These beads came out of Burma in the 1980s and have remained in private collections since that time.
62 ancient beads
Origin: Ancient Burma, 400 BCE to 1000 CE
Condition: Excellent
length of necklace = 28 inches
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Authentic Pumtek Stone Bead Strand - 89 Beads
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SOLD!
This is a heavy necklace of brown espresso coloured six stripe beads from Burma. There are a total of 89 beads on this strand in excellent condition. They came out of Burma in the 1980s and have remained in private collections since that time. Pumtek have rapidly seen an increase in value in the past couple of years and such a large strand is now rarely seen. The photo on the right shows a comparable strand worn by a woman of the Chin tribe in the late 19th century.
Origin of necklace: Burma, antique and ancient beads
Length of strand approx 38 inches!!
Smallest bead measures 10 mm
Largest bead measures 16 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pumtek Longevity Beads
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SOLD!
A superb matched pair of stone Pumtek beads from Burma. Both beads display the much rarer longevity design.
Origin: Burma
approx 14 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A superb matched pair of stone Pumtek beads from Burma. Both beads display the much rarer 12 stripe design. These beads are worn smooth from possibly hundreds of years of close contact to to the body. Perfect opalised gems!
Origin: Burma
approx 13 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pyu or Tircul Stone Bead Necklace
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SOLD!
A stunning necklace of highly collectible ancient stone beads from Burma. There are 56 beads on this necklace, which range in size and shape. The majority of the beads are made from agate or a more opalised material that is unique to Pyu beads. This is mainly a necklace of decorated beads, with many designs only seen on Burmese beads. It also includes four rare green chalcedony stone beads that are unique to Burma. Quite a number of these beads would easily fall into the dZi family if found within a Tibetan context. It has been strung with a silver clasp and is ready to be worn.
Origin: Burma
Period: Pyu/Tircul Period ~
Age: 1000 to 2000 years old + or -
This strand came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently.
Condition: Excellent with expected weathering.
length of necklace 37 inches
smallest round bead = 7 mm
Largest round bead = 16 mm
Largest tube bead = 25 mm
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Ancient Pumtek Stone Bead with Tiger Stripe design
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SOLD!
A highly collectible ancient Pumtek stone bead with the Tiger stripe design. The ends and body are worn smooth from many centuries of wear and handling. This is a fat opalised bead displaying four zig zag stripes and double end stripes. It is highly opalised and has a dZi-like quality.
Origin: Burma
36 mm x 12 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead Necklace
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SOLD!
A highly collectible necklace with genuine antique and ancient Pumtek beads. These beads are all from strands that came out of Burma in the 1980s and 90s. The Chin people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group that migrated to Burma more than 1000 years ago. The Chins mix ancient and antique beads on their prized strands, and it is not always easy to tell them apart. Many of these beads display wonderful wear at their perforations and a patina that is only seen on very old beads. It is clear there was a great range of skills needed to create Pumtek in antiquity. A single bead might take weeks to complete. Beads can vary in colour and quality due to the skill of the bead maker and the materials being used. Some of the earliest beads have a dZi-like quality to them, and would be valued as such if found within a Tibetan context. Pumtek are interesting because beads were made from a variety of silicified woods. Some beads are more opalised and others appear to display a woody grain for example.
This necklace also has some rare size pumteks. It includes various long Tiger stripe beads and various round beads with stripes. The large tabular focal bead (approx 33 mm) is particularly beautiful and has slight loss to the ends, which is indicative of great age. Genuine old Pumtek beads have almost vanished from the marketplace in recent years. Collectors are only now beginning to realise the importance of these beads. The Burmese were master bead makers and Pumtek are certainly as important as the Himalayan dZi, although cost a fraction of the price.
The largest Tiger stripe measures 52 mm x 12 mm.
Round beads 10 mm to 15 mm
The tabular focal bead and a couple of the ancient Tiger stripe pumteks have a small amount of loss to the ends, otherwise the beads remain in excellent condition.
29 beads
Origin: Burma
length approx 28 inches
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Ancient Five Striped Tiger Pumtek
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SOLD!
A large ancient Pumtek which came out of Burma in the 1980s. This impressive opalised bead displays 5 zig zag stripes and has a desirable usage patina. Dark beads of this size and quality are rarely seen. Perfection! This bead has a dZi-like quality and would make a wonderful addition to any ancient bead collection. It would be hard to find a nicer example.
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Burma
41 mm x 9 mm
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Ancient Four Striped Tiger Pumtek
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SOLD!
A very attractive ancient Pumtek bead. Displays four zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina.
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
Material: fossilwood
30 mm x 7 mm
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Ancient Four Striped Tiger Pumtek
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SOLD!
A very attractive ancient Pumtek bead. Displays four zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina and end wear.
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
Material: opalised fossilwood
30 mm x 8 mm
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Ancient Six Stripe Pumtek Bead - 16 mm
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SOLD!
A large ancient opalised 6 stripe pumtek bead. Gorgeous usage patina!
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
Material: opalised fossilwood
16 mm
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Ancient Six Stripe Pumtek Bead - 15 mm
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SOLD!
A superb ancient opalised 6 stripe pumtek bead. Gorgeous usage patina!
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
Material: opalised fossilwood
15 mm
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A superb matched pair of stone Pumtek beads from Burma. Both beads display the much rarer 12 stripe design. These beads are worn smooth from possibly hundreds of years of close contact to to the body. Perfect opalised gems!
Origin: Burma
approx 14 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Ancient 6 Stripe Pumtek Stone Bead
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SOLD!
The don't get much better than this! A perfect ancient Pumtek bead displaying six stripes. The decorated stripes are nicely contrasted against the dark base colour. The perforations show wear that is indicative of possibly hundreds of years of daily wear.
Origin: Burma
approx 14 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Tabular Pumtek Stone Bead
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SOLD!
A highly collectible Pumtek stone bead with the sought after bird in flight decoration. When this design is seen on a dZi bead, Tibetans call it a Garuda motif. There are a total of 6 birds on this bead. The bead displays gorgeous red hues and a fantastic usage patina.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
28 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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New Pumtek Stone Necklace
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SOLD!
A necklace of Pumtek beads probably created in the last 10 years. Includes a variety of designs and shapes. These beads are lighter in weight than old pumtek and the decoration is crude compared to much earlier beads. They are not to be confused with finer Pumtek beads from the early 20th century and much older heirloom beads. Please compare them with the antique Pumtek beads in our inventory, so that you become familiar with the different qualities available.
New pumtek do not have a patina that develops after long periods of wear and handling. Natural oils from the body, polish from the skin and the rubbing against other beads will all contribute to a bead that looks and feels very different from modern beads. Also, new pumtek feel much lighter than antique beads and have an almost brittle feel. Older heirloom beads display decorations that penetrate deep into the body of the bead, whilst the majority of new beads do not. New beads will not fluoresce under a UV light, however, despite popular belief not all ancient or antique beads will fluoresce either. So do not use the UV test to identify antique beads as a concrete rule!
Origin: Burma
Material: Decorated fossilwood
approx 28 inches
38 beads
Condition: 37 beads remain in excellent condition. One bead has an end nik.
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New Pumtek Stone Necklace
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Our Price: £80.00
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A necklace of Pumtek beads from the 1990s. Includes a large variety of designs. These beads are of much higher quality than some of the very recent Pumteks appearing in the marketplace. These are not to be confused with Pumtek beads from the early 20th century and older.
Origin: Burma
Material: Decorated fossilwood
approx 30 inches
38 beads
Condition: 37 beads remain in excellent condition. One bead has an end nik.
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Ancient 12 Stripe Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A superb matched pair of opalised stone Pumtek beads from Burma. Both beads display the much rarer 12 stripe design. Sourced in the 1980s and remaining in private collections until now.
Origin: Burma
largest 16 mm
Smallest 15 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Pumtek Stone Bead with Lotus and Star Design
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SOLD!
A highly collectible antique (possibly ancient) opalised Pumtek stone bead with rare design. The body displays a star like decoration and when the holes are viewed a lotus flower is seen. Very few of these beads are seen for sale because this is one of the rarest Pumtek designs
Origin: Burma
17.5 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pumtek Stone Bead with Tiger Stripes
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SOLD!
A stunning bead with beautiful colour and usage patina.
Origin: Burma, Pyu,Tircul
32 mm x 7.5 mm
Condition: Excellent
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Five Striped Tiger Pumtek
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SOLD!
A large and perfect ancient Pumtek bead. This impressive opalised bead displays 5 zig zag stripes and has a lovely usage patina. It came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently.
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Burma
41 mm x 9 mm
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pumtek Six Stripe Stone Bead - 15 mm
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SOLD!
A wonderful ancient six stripe Pumtek. A wondeful opalised bead with great colour and clear lines.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
approx 15 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Rare Tabular Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
A superb antique (possibly ancient) tabular pumtek with the sought after cross decoration or sun and moon design. Each face is polished smooth from being worn and cherished for possibly hundreds of years. Sourced in India in
the 1980s.
Origin: Burma
approx 25 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Pair of Ancient Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A pair of ancient Pumtek stone beads from Burma. Both beads display the classic six stripe design.
Origin: Burma
approx 11 mm
Condition: Very Good with minor weathering
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare Pumtek Stone Bead - Sun Design
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SOLD!
A small ancient agatised Pumtek stone bead with the rare radiating sun design. A perfect gemlike bead with a central equatorial stripe and 8 lines extending horizontally across the body. This design is often compared to a 'rail track' or the stitching on a rugby ball. If you view the side profile you can see this decoration actually forms a sun like design. The sun being the decorated circle around the holes and the sun rays being the 8 lines that radiate outwards. The ends are worn smooth from centuries of rubbing against other beads.
Origin: Burma, Pyu Tircul
Condition: Excellent
Material: agatised fossilwood
9.5 mm
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Pair of Ancient Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A pair of ancient Pumtek stone beads from Burma. Both beads display the classic six stripe design. The wear at the holes is indicative of great age and this is what sets them apart from early 20th century beads.
Origin: Burma
approx 11 mm
Condition: Very Good with minor weathering
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Ancient Pumtek Six Stripe Stone Bead
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SOLD!
A highly collectible agatised Pumtek bead with six stripes. Beads with the six stripe decoration were the most widely produced of all the pumtek designs. This is a high contrast bead in perfect condition. Beads with similar designs have also been excavated in India, leading some to believe that early Indian bead makers influenced the designs found on many Pumtek. This bead came out of Burma in the 1980s and has remained in a private collection until recently. The darkest beads are the most sought after, so this bead is particularly collectible.
Origin: Burma, Pyu/Tircul
Condition: Excellent. No breaks, cracks or repairs.
Size: 12 mm
Pumtek are decorated stone beads that originate from Burma. Some are ancient, some are antique and some are early to late 20th century creations. Pumtek means buried thunderbolt and are highly prized by the Chin tribe of Burma. The majority of these beads are made from silicified wood in the form of opal or chalcedony. By forming in this manner the original form and structure of the wood is often preserved. This is why many Pumtek beads appear to display a woody grain.
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Rare Diamond Eye Pumtek stone bead
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SOLD!
This is the first bead with this design that we have ever offered for sale. It displays three diamond shaped eyes with dots in the centre of each eye. It is a dark brown bead with yellowish hues and is in excellent condition. All signs point at this being an antique (possibly ancient) bead, with the ends and surface polished smooth from being worn on the body. When this design is seen on a dZi bead they can command many thousans of dollars.
Origin: Burma
Collected in India in the 1980s
Material: A stone bead made from fossilised/opalised Wood.
approx 24 mm x 9 mm
Condition: Excellent
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Matched Pair of 6 Stripe Pumtek stone beads
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SOLD!
A fine matched pair of sought after Pumtek stone beads from Burma. Both displaying a lovely espresso coffee colour and a patina developed from centuries of wear.
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
12mm
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Rare Matched Pair of Pumtek Stone Beads - Sun Design
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SOLD!
A matched pair of authentic antique Pumtek stone beads with the rare radiating sun design. Beads display a central equatorial stripe and 8 lines extending horizontally across the body. This design is often compared to a 'rail track' or the stitching on a rugby ball. If you view the side profile you can see this decoration actually forms a sun like design. The sun being the circle around the holes and the sun rays being the 8 lines that radiate outwards.
Origin: Burma
Condition: Excellent
Material: agatised/opalised fossilwood
11 mm
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