8th-10th century AD. A mixed group of seven large drum-shaped opaque glass beads comprising: one with floral forms when viewed from the pierced ends, red, white, blue and yellow feathering; six broadly similar beads with facetted bodies with blue and white dragged trails, lighter blue segments between. Cf. Dubin, L., The History of Beads From 30,000 BC To The Present, Thames & Hudson, 2006, fold-out chart at rear, no.903a, for very similar blue and white beads. 480 grams total, 33-47mm (1 1/4 - 1 3/4"). From an important North West London collection; acquired from Henry Anavian in the early 1990s; formerly in a Japanese collection, since the 1980s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10962-179808. [7]

Fine condition.