Ancient Chinese Warring States Bead

Product Description: This artifact is an Ancient Chinese Warring States Bead, featuring a concentric circle design. Despite some age-related chips and wear, the blue glass remains beautifully intact, making it a remarkable piece.

Specifications:

• Origin: China
• Estimated Production Date: 5th to 3rd century BCE
• Size: Diameter 15mm x Height 10mm
• Hole Size: 7mm
• Special Notes: As an antique item, it may have scratches, cracks, or chips.
• Important Notice: Due to lighting and other conditions, the actual product may appear slightly different from the photos. Photos are taken under bright indoor lighting conditions.

About Ancient Chinese Warring States Beads:

Known as "Warring States Beads," these glass beads were crafted during China's Warring States period, around the 5th to 3rd century BCE, before the unification by the Qin Dynasty. The earliest Chinese glass, dating from the 11th to 8th centuries BCE, was found in Luoyang, Henan Province. However, it wasn't until the Warring States period that glass products began to be widely circulated. Early Warring States beads primarily featured faience, a type of ceramic material decorated with glass patterns. Later, fully glass beads were also produced. Common designs include "Seven Star Beads" and "Eye Beads," characterized by their distinctive spotted patterns.

The techniques and design elements were influenced by Western Asia, including Roman glass, but the materials used in Chinese glass of this era differed in composition. This distinction highlights the advanced glass-making technology of ancient China. Warring States beads not only hold historical significance as the beginning of China's glass history but also attract many enthusiasts due to their rich designs and colors.